Furnace maintenance
makes sure your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible
. During your technician's visit, they are inspecting and cleaning the components of your HVAC system. When the parts of the furnace are properly inspected and cleaned, they help your furnace run more efficiently.
How often should a furnace be maintenance?
A gas furnace should be serviced
at least once a year
, preferably, though, in both the spring and the fall. Annual maintenance, including a thorough examination and cleaning of the parts that commonly malfunction, like the air filter, the fan, the pilot light, and the heat exchanger, can usually prevent these problems.
What happens if you dont service your furnace?
When you don't maintain your furnace,
it doesn't take long for the air filter to become completely clogged with dust, debris and even mold
. Once the air filter can no longer keep particles out, your furnace and your ducts become coated with these nasty airborne particles.
What maintenance does a furnace need?
Some of the specific tasks involved in our furnace maintenance checklist include:
Inspecting the vent system and air intake grilles, removing any blockages
. Checking the heat exchanger for signs of damage or corrosion. Examining and cleaning the blower, removing any debris.
Can you clean your own furnace?
If your furnace has ducts or vents, you can also clean these of dirt and dust by using a vacuum
.
How long do furnaces usually last?
THE AVERAGE FURNACE LIFESPAN
A well-maintained furnace can last at least
15 to 20 years
, but completing annual maintenance and being diligent with repairs can extend its life even longer.
Can a furnace explode?
The modern gas furnace is much safer than electric space heaters, and furnaces are built to high safety standards. Although
it is possible for a gas furnace to either catch fire or explode, it's highly unlikely
. If there is a danger of this happening, the furnace will usually simply shut off—as it's designed to.
How often should you change your furnace filter?
In general, this is how often changing furnace filters needs to be done:
For 1- to 2-inch filters, replace them every 1 to 3 months
. For 3- to 4-inch filters, replace them every 6 to 9 months. For 5- to 6-inch filters, replace them every 9 to 12 months.
How do I know if my furnace needs cleaning?
- You're Struggling to Get and Keep the Temperature You Want. Given that your furnace's entire job is to warm your home, it's frustrating when that isn't happening. …
- Strange Odors from the Furnace. …
- Yellow or Orange Flame. …
- Strange Noises from the Furnace. …
- Reduced Indoor Air Quality.
What happens if you don't clean your oil burner?
And neglecting to clean your oil furnace
can lead to significant deaths, injuries and property losses
. Spring or summer is the best time to have your oil chimney cleaned. During the winter, your oil-fired furnace can run for long cycles, which can produce soot that may adhere to the sides of your chimney.
How often does a gas furnace need to be cleaned?
As a general rule, the average furnace should be thoroughly cleaned
at least once a year
. This will not only maintain the efficiency and longevity of your HVAC system, but it'll also keep your ducts from getting grimy and distributing dust and dirt throughout your home.
What does furnace cleaning include?
What is Furnace Cleaning? Furnace cleaning involves only the individual components of the furnace itself—like
the heat exchanger, the blower motor, the combustion chamber, burners, fan, etc
. These are typically cleaned with the combination of high-pressured air and an industrial vacuum.
How do I service my furnace for the winter?
- Turn on the thermostat. …
- Change the air filters. …
- Cover the AC condenser. …
- Clean the heat exchanger. …
- Lubricate and clean the blower motor. …
- Test the igniter switch. …
- Inspect the chimney and carbon monoxide detectors.
How do you inspect a furnace?
How much is a new furnace for a 2000 square foot home?
For a 2,000-square-foot home, it'll cost
around $3,300
for a new furnace based on total square footage and BTU rating.
Should I replace my 25 year old furnace?
Age of your Furnace
If your furnace is pushing 25 years or more, it's probably nearing the end of it's effective lifespan
. However, as already mentioned, this shouldn't be the end-all-be-all in the decision. You might choose to replace a 15 year old furnace, or it could last more than 30 years.
Should I replace my 30 year old furnace?
Regardless of the logic you follow, the 30-year mark is at or close to the maximum lifespan you should expect from your furnace. Even though furnaces can last 30 years or beyond,
most experts recommend that you start shopping for a new furnace when your existing unit is 15 years old
.
How common are furnace fires?
The National Fire Protection Association says
more than one in six home fires start from heating equipment
, which is the second most common cause of a fire behind cooking. While most heating-related fires start from either space heaters or fire places, more than one out of every 10 starts with a central heating system.
Why does it smell like burning from my furnace?
As your furnace heats back up it is burning this dust off, hence the burning smell
. This is normal and is not considered to be a safety hazard. The smell should go away after a few hours once the furnace burns all the dust away.
Why is my furnace booming?
The cause of furnace booming sounds
That booming noise happens
when the burners of the furnace have a difficult time lighting
. As the burners struggle to ignite (either from a pilot light or an electronic ignition system), gas starts to build up around them.
Is a thicker furnace filter better?
Most air filters are 1 inch thick, but some systems can accommodate filters 2 to 5 inches thick. In our tests, we found that
the thicker the filter, the better it works and the longer the replacement intervals
. That means it's better for you and for your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Why are my air filters so dirty?
Leaks in your air ducts
introduce dust and dirt from areas like your attic. The more dirt a leaky duct system brings into your home, the more dirt your air filter accumulates.
Do I need both a furnace filter and a return air grill filter?
While many people refer to air conditioning and furnace filters as if they're different, this is not the case. Your furnace and your air conditioning system use the exact same filter, so
there's no need to worry about purchasing separate filters for each piece of equipment.
