There are some furnace maintenance items that should only be done by a professional. But here’s what you can do yourself to make your furnace happy …
February is the month of love, after all, and the perfect time to show some love to an appliance that is arguably the most important appliance in your home, and one that often is taken for granted.
- Clean your air filter. You knew that we’d have this item on the list, didn’t you? And that’s because, as simple as it is, it’s also the most important thing. Don’t forget to change your air filter, because a dirty air filter forces your heating system to work harder to get air back to your furnace and re-circulate it. Replace your air filter at least once every single season, and more often if you have pets.
- Reduce the heating load. Another great way to make sure your furnace doesn’t have to work any harder than necessary is to reduce the heating load in your home. If you’re wondering what exactly that means, it basically means the amount of heat required to keep the temperature in an area, like your home, at an established level. One way to reduce it is by sealing/weatherstripping windows and doors. If your windows and doors aren’t sealed properly, cold air will be coming in and warm air will be going out, meaning that your furnace has to produce more heat in order to keep your home at the temperature you want.
- Get all flammable objects away from the furnace. Now, this is a way of showing love to yourself and your family as much as to your furnace … Because, of course, flammable objects around the furnace are incredibly dangerous. Any storage containers, clothing items, paint, and aerosols need to be far away from your heating system.
- Keep a general eye and ear out. If you pay a bit more attention to your furnace every once in a while, and give it the TLC it needs, it will thank you in this season of love! That doesn’t require a lot of extra effort on your part, just paying attention to any strange sights or noises. For example, a high-pitched screeching noise means that two metal parts are scraping against each other when they shouldn’t be! It could mean that your furnace blower wheel has come loose and is bumping against another part. Or, if you hear a loud humming noise coming from the furnace, that could be an electrical issue which not only damages your furnace but could be dangerous for your family.
- Last but not least, a great way to show your furnace some love is to bring in the professionals! Don’t wait until you have a problem, and until your furnace is already damaged. Instead, let a trained technician check your furnace completely and anticipate problems before they happen. We will completely clean the most important components, make sure everything is operating according to standard, and also check all electrical connections. Contact us online or call now: (714) 602-1299