Furnace maintenance is important to protect your system – the unit itself and the investment in it. Be sure to have an HVAC professional perform an annual furnace service visit in the fall, before the heating season begins , and complete your own maintenance in-between to keep your system in the best condition.
What is yearly maintenance on a furnace?
Your furnace needs one tune-up every year .
This is what we mean when we talk about “regular” maintenance. We typically recommend scheduling this tune-up before the heating season. This ensures that your furnace is prepared to heat your home before the cold snap hits.
How often does a furnace need to be serviced?
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.
Are annual furnace tune ups necessary?
Yes! If your furnace is under a manufacturer's warranty, it's important to schedule your furnace tune-up . Most furnace manufacturers recommend annual maintenance by a qualified HVAC technician, and won't cover damage caused by improper maintenance.
What happens if you don't 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.
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 often should you clean furnace ducts?
Experts advise having your air ducts cleaned every 2 to 3 years to prevent many maintenance and health problems before they start. However, homes with pets or children with allergies should have their air ducts professionally cleaned more frequently than the recommended average.
Is furnace cleaning necessary?
EPA does not recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed . EPA does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
How often should you service your electric furnace?
Every home is different and two homes may have different types or styles of furnaces. Despite the differences in the different type of furnaces and HVAC systems, the general rule of thumb is to have your furnace serviced at least once annually .
What maintenance is required for a gas furnace?
It is recommended that every gas furnace owner replace or clean the filter continuously depending on the use . This is because it filters and traps dust, dirt and other debris. Check the filter and see if it has accumulated lots of dirt. If it is completely clogged, consider doing a replacement.
How do I maintain my furnace myself?
- Clean or replace your filter. ...
- Make sure blower motor is functioning correctly. ...
- Reduce home's heating load. ...
- Make sure all household vents are free. ...
- For gas furnaces, verify the exhaust flue to the outside is clear. ...
- Remove all flammable objects from around your furnace.
What should a furnace tune up include?
- Lubricate motor bearings and other moving parts.
- Check and adjust fan belt tension.
- Voltage and current checks.
- Tighten all electrical connections.
- Inspect heat exchanger.
- Test exhaust system.
- Inspect and clean burner.
- Verify and adjust gas pressure.
What does a gas furnace tune up consist of?
During a typical tune-up, a technician will inspect parts for common issues, test the overall function of the unit, and clean spots that are prone to an accumulation of dust and grime . Often, this fairly quick appointment helps keep a furnace running at maximum efficiency all season long.
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.
Why does a furnace smell when you first turn it on?
Furnaces commonly accumulate an amount of dust when they aren't being used for months on end . This dust settles on everything from the heat exchanger to the burners. When you turn it on for the first time each year, this dust burns off and produces a burning smell.
How do you maintain an electric furnace?
Is air duct cleaning a waste of money?
They are not long enough to clean every inch of the ductwork down to the main trunk line. Even if you find a bait-and-switch company that cleans ductwork properly, if you don't pay their hefty sum to clean all the ducts, the cleaning will have been a waste of money .
Why does my house get so dusty?
Both low humidity and high humidity play a role in why your house is so dusty. When the air is dry, your air can be extra dusty. But when it's too high, it can feed mites and promote mold growth. If your air is dry, run a humidifier so that you can reach a comfortable level.
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.
What is involved with a furnace cleaning?
The Alberta Furnace Cleaning Process.
Furnace blower is removed and cleaned. Sealed Access panels are created. Drop sheets and register covers are used as necessary. System is cleaned in “zones” using Roto-WhipTM safe cleaning method.
Does duct cleaning remove mold?
Air duct cleaning services are an important part of home maintenance. Air duct cleaning will not only get rid of dirt, dust and other particles, but it will also get rid of mold . Mold can be quite detrimental to human health.
