Your gas furnace should last you a decent amount of time before it will need to be replaced or undergo a large repair. To make sure that it is the case, however, homeowners need to do some routine maintenance on the heating unit. This should not be a long or painful process and when it is done on a regular basis, you should not have a lot of problems with your system. When you do the proper maintenance, you will have a better change of getting through the winter without needing furnace repairs.
- Take some time to get to know your heating unit. In order to know what needs to be cleaned and how often, you need to learn more about your heating system. This means you should real the user’s manual that comes with your HVAC system. If you have any problems or need clarification, you can look online or contact the manufacturer.
- Be safe whenever you do anything with your heating unit. Before you start to do any work on the heating system, and this includes cleaning it, you need to make sure you turn the fuel source off. You also need to make sure you have turned off the power to the unit. You may need to flip the circuit to make sure your power is completely cut off to the heating system. There are just too many things that can go wrong when there is still active power to a heating system to take the chance to work on it without taking these steps.
- Pay close attention to your filters. One of the most simple yet crucial things you can do for your heating system is to keep a close eye on your air filters. As a side note, your air conditioner needs the same thing. The frequency with which you need to replace your air filters in gas furnaces really depends on how often you use the heating unit but you should take some time to check it regularly. When your filters get clogged with dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris, it decreases the efficiency of the unit and forces it to work harder. This means it will use a lot more energy. It also means that you will have more of a chance of having a fire.
- Pay attention to your thermostat. If you have an older thermostat, you may want to consider getting a new one. There are programmable thermostats that can be accessed remotely. You can even program your home so that you are only heating the areas where people are spending time, rather than heating the entire home. Thermostats do not last forever. If you are finding that you are using the same setting but the results are different, your thermostat may not be working correctly.
- Do not forget to check up on your ducts. Your ducts can be vulnerable to damage and blockages. You need to make sure you check them periodically to make sure they are clean and clear of any dirt, dust or other debris. You can clean them with a good vacuum cleaner. Make sure you cover them all after cleaning to keep your heating unit working well and able to keep your home comfortable.
- Check on your vents. In the same way you need to keep your ducts clean and clear, you need to do the same thing for your vents. Dust and debris can get into your vents and cause a host of problems. Take a brush to clean these out from time to time. You can also use the vacuum cleaner you used on your ducts on your vents.
- Check out the blower. After you have cleaned the ducts and the vents, you should move on to the blower. Remember a clean heating system is a more effective and efficient heating system. You need to clean your blower and the pulleys and belts in the system. Whatever gets past the air filters will find its way to your blower assembly and can cause problems.
The last thing you want to happen in the middle of the winter is to have an issue with your heating unit. These tips can prevent that from happening.