4 Heating System Maintenance Tasks That Help Your Furnace Survive Winter And Run More Efficiently

Posted on: 12 October 2020

It's always good to get your heating system ready for winter. A furnace and ducts that are in good shape help your system work better so you spend less money keeping your house warm. Plus, if you have small kids or elderly family living in your house, you may want to lower the risk of a heating malfunction as much as possible. Here are some heating system maintenance tips that could help you get through another winter without furnace problems.

1. Get Your Furnace Checked By A Professional

Autumn is a good time to schedule a service call from a furnace maintenance company. If you've neglected professional service maintenance for a few years, it's more important than ever to let a professional check and service your heating system. Whether you have a gas or electric furnace, it needs to be in good shape to operate safely.

A heating system maintenance visit may consist of checking all the parts, replacing worn parts, and servicing the furnace. The technician also cleans the furnace, and that's very important for a gas furnace that builds up soot around the ignition and burners.

It's also important to clean the air handler blower and motor because when they get too dirty, the furnace might overheat and shut down as a safety precaution.

2. Repair And Insulate Ducts

A heating system check involves checking the ducts, too. Ducts might develop leaks over the years, or the insulation might come loose. You don't want to lose heat to the attic, so sealing gaps, plugging holes, repairing cracks, and putting on new insulation could help your heating system be more efficient.

3. Calibrate Or Change The Thermostat

The thermostat can develop malfunctions too, so the technician might take it apart, calibrate it, clean it, and check the wiring connections. A thermostat that works properly helps you avoid problems with erratic cycling and being unable to properly warm your house.

If you have an old thermostat, you might want the technician to replace it with a programmable digital model that's easier to use, which can help you keep warm while lowering your power bill.

4. Keep Dust Out Of The System

It's hard to keep your home free from dust, so protecting the furnace is important. The filter keeps a lot of dust out, but to be effective, the filter has to be changed regularly. Dusting around your home and around the furnace might help also.

Dust affects the internal parts of the furnace, such as the blower, and it can also restrict airflow. So, keeping dust out and making sure nothing blocks airflow are two important things you can do all winter to help your furnace along. Contact a heating maintenance service, such as Phil's Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., for more information. 

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