During winter, the furnace is one of the most important components in your home. A properly maintained system will deliver maximum heat output without wasted energy or the risk of harmful emissions. On the other hand, if you defer maintenance for too long your furnace could become costly to run, harmful to indoor air quality or even break down when you need it most. If a repair technician determines that your system failed due to a lack of routine maintenance, then you could be stuck with the full repair bill.
Furnace maintenance during winter
The coldest nights always seem to present the perfect opportunity for a spontaneous furnace failure. Prevent this with a proactive approach by conducting your furnace maintenance every year while the weather is still warm or mild. Getting the jump on your annual maintenance will give you plenty of lead time if you discover the need for repairs. To ensure your home furnace operates optimally when it’s cold outside, you should employ the following maintenance tips to prepare your furnace for winter.
Administer the Eye and Nose Test
Before you start work on maintaining your furnace, give it a quick visual inspection. In gas furnaces, the venting pipe should be securely fastened and angled. In addition, other tubes – such as drainage tubes that may also serve the air conditioning system – should be securely fastened as well. This is also a good time to smell around the system’s gas line, which is usually a flexible tube. If an aroma of rotten eggs is detected, it means the furnace has a gas leak.
Clear the Drainage Tube
Natural gas and propane furnaces produce small amounts of water as they heat. Some of this is blown out as exhaust steam, but the rest drains from the power exhaust manifold to a drip pan that is often shared with the air conditioner. If the drainage tube clogs, water could fill the manifold and the flame sensor would shut the system down. Keep the drainage tube clear by detaching it from the manifold and blowing compressed air through the tube and drainpipe. You can also pour a cup of white vinegar through the drainage tube and pipe to help prevent a filmy buildup. If you are not sure how to, call East Coast Mechanical.
Inspect the Thermostat Wires
Once the power has been shut off and the furnace doors removed, begin your furnace maintenance by giving the furnace wires a slight pull to ensure they are tight and properly fitted. You want to make sure your thermostat is properly communicating the right temperature and not overworking your furnace.
Dust and Vacuum
Dust, dirt and debris can cause a furnace to work sub-optimally or in some cases, not at all. To avoid this problem, use a soft-tipped paint brush applied gently against the inner components of the furnace to loosen dust and debris without damaging the furnace’s interior. Once the brushing is complete, remove the material with a portable vacuum.
Clean the Flame Sensor
A dirty flame sensor in a gas furnace will stop the unit from working all together, so clean this part at least once a year. Unscrew the sensor from the furnace and then, holding it at the bottom, clean the sensor with an emery cloth. Once the sensor is clean, it can be replaced, and the door reinstalled.
Maintain Your System However You Get Your Heat
While most North American homes are heated with natural gas, propane or electric furnaces, there are several other types of systems: steam radiator heat, air or geothermal heat pumps, radiant heat, baseboard heaters and more. Some of these systems, like radiant floor heating, are virtually maintenance-free. Others, like heat pumps, require annual tune-ups similar to air conditioners. If you have a heating system other than a gas or electric furnace and you’re unsure about its maintenance requirements, contact the installer or your local HVAC professional for guidance.
Furnace Filter Maintenance
Changing your filter is the most important thing to do to ensure your furnace and air conditioner’s longevity and performance, saving you up to 5-15 percent on your energy bill. One of the biggest culprits behind equipment issues are dirty filters which can:
- Restrict airflow, which puts additional strain on the fan motor that after time can make your motor burn out, your system overheat, or your equipment fail.
- Force your fan motor to overwork which uses more energy, can cause damage to your system and significantly raises your utility bill.
- Drastically reduce your indoor air quality which can aggravate allergies, asthma and other illnesses.
- Clogging ductwork with debris can decrease your equipment’s life span and lead to costly repair or replacement expenses.
The furnace’s filter was likely replaced when it was last inspected, but it should be replaced every one to three months, unless otherwise instructed by the manufacturer of the furnace. Homes with smokers or pets will likely need to change their filters more regularly than other households.
Set a date on the calendar after the cleaning to easily remember when the filter should be changed. Some homeowners also find it easier to simply replace the filter on the first day of every month. In addition to the filter, you should keep the area around the furnace clean and free of obstructions, especially combustible materials. This allows the furnace to run properly and avoid potential damage to the unit, its performance or your home.
Consider a Professional for any Mechanical Maintenance
Maintaining your home’s furnace may be difficult if you don’t have a mechanical background. If you feel uncomfortable handling any of these tasks, bring in a professional furnace maintenance technician. Even in cases where you feel you can accomplish most maintenance steps alone; it is still a good idea to hire a professional to thoroughly inspect the system and ensure it is running properly. A yearly preventative maintenance inspection by a qualified service technician can keep your HVAC functioning at peak efficiency by identifying problems from thermal stress, movement or dust.
Common problems that a technician can address include:
- Ductwork loosened due to normal thermal expansion and contraction
- Blower motor bearings in need of lubrication
- Replacing air filter and cleaning of dust from blower fan blades and AC condensing coil
- An inspection can also find and repair less obvious problems like:
- Loose blower belt
- Improperly firing burners
- Blocked condensate drain
- Loose wiring harnesses
- Slowly leaking coolant from the AC system
Furnace maintenance during winter
The best way to keep your furnace efficient and reliable is to have it inspected before you really need it. Before cold weather strikes, set up an appointment to have your heating system inspected by an expert. Yearly fall maintenance can save you time, frustration, and money when it’s done right by inspection that includes a comprehensive diagnostic check to ensure that your furnace is operating safely, efficiently and to the manufacturer’s specifications. Some manufacturer warranties even state that annual maintenance is required for proper warranty coverage, and that any repairs required due to lack of routine maintenance are not covered by warranty.
Call for Help Contact us
If you have HVAC needs for your office or home in Farmingdale, join hands with a licensed and insured contractor at East Coast Mechanical. Email: ecmcecmc@aol.com Address: 5133 W Hurley Pond Rd Suite A, Wall Township, NJ 07727 Hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Phone: 800-300-ECMC or 732-751-8877