It is very important that your heating system is working properly before you go into a cold winter. It seems that the furnace always wants to go out during the coldest part of winter, and that is mostly due to the fact it is being used so heavily. For this reason, it is a very good idea to have parts of your furnace looked at before the winter sets in. If you perform some simple maintenance then your furnace may last longer during the winter. If need be you can have a heating contractor come fix the problems.
Air Ducts
One of the problems that are very common, but often overlooked is a clogged air duct. The air duct system is the way that the hot air is pushed through the home. If there is a blockage in the air duct one of the rooms in the house will be cut off from hot air. Over a long period of time dust and other debris can clog up the ducts. It is vital that these are taken care of because the extra strain on the furnace can actually cause a malfunction to occur in the furnace. You should take a very high-powered vacuum to the air vents to clean them out. You may also want to have a professional deep clean your air ducts every other year.
Pilot Light
The next thing that you need to inspect is the pilot light. There are a few things that can occur with regards to the pilot light. The first thing that you want to look for is an off colored pilot light. The flame should be a deep orange, but if it has a yellow tinge to it then it is likely letting off carbon monoxide. if this is the case then you need to have a technician look at the furnace right away. You also need to install carbon monoxide monitors by your furnace. The next thing that you want to watch for is a loud bang when the furnace kicks on. This can mean that the gas is building up in the furnace and then catching fire causing a small explosion in your furnace.
If you do not feel confident in your ability to assess your furnace, you should have a technician come to your home to inspect your furnace every fall. They can catch the small problems that have potential to turn into big problems.
Share27 September 2017
Working with HVAC contractors is an important part of being a homeowner. Not only do your contractors ensure that a new system you buy is properly installed, but they also ensure optimal performance throughout the years through a series of regular inspections, maintenance services, and repairs. But there are lots of things you can do in between your contractor's visits to ensure that your HVAC investment is always in tip top condition, aside from cleaning out the air filters. After working with my dad for more than a decade in the HVAC business, I've put together a few methods homeowners can use to maintain a well working system, and I have published those tips and tricks right here on this blog. I hope some of the information you find here helps you on your journey as a homeowner!
