Property owners evaluate the manufacturer’s instructions when maintaining a furnace. The steps presented must be followed exactly as the owner is instructed or owners could void their product warranty. It is necessary to hire a professional to complete maintenance tasks to avoid these repercussions. Furnace repair services must be certified according to the warranty specifications for maintenance.
Each step addresses major components and conditions that could prevent the furnace from operating properly. A professional furnace service provider understands these requirements and won’t make mistakes that prove costly for the property owner. By reviewing vital tips and tasks, the property owner learns what they must do to keep their furnace operational.
Start with an Inspection
The property owner needs a thorough inspection of the entire furnace each year to find problems that could be catastrophic. Service contracts may provide a free inspection of the furnace each year. The technicians inspect the entire furnace for issues and test all major components during the inspection. If they discover any issues, the technicians present information about repairs and a complete estimate. To learn more about repairing your furnace, contact a service provider now.
Check the Filter
Furnaces use filters, too, and the filters capture contaminants, toxins, and allergens circulating through the furnace throughout the day and night. If the filter becomes clogged, air will not circulate properly, and a clogged furnace presents serious health risks for the property owner. The technicians will also evaluate the size of the filter to ensure that it is the appropriate size. If the filter is the wrong size, allergens and particles escape around it and flow through the property.
Technicians determine how often the property owner should change the filter. For example, if the property owner has pets, they should replace the filter at least twice a month or pet hair could clog the filter. Winnipeg homeowners recommend Abundant Air for reliable furnace solutions.
Test the Blower Motor
The blower motor could become clogged and overheat. When inspecting the furnace, the blower motor must be assessed for signs of wear and tear. If it is not operating properly, it will not force air throughout the property. During the summer when the blower isn’t operating, dust and debris accumulate on the blower motor, and the technicians will remove the debris when inspecting the blower motor.
Property owners with pets must clean the blower motor more often to prevent the negative effects of long pet hair. If they don’t keep the debris cleaned out, the furnace could malfunction or fail to operate at inopportune times during winter. Proper testing and servicing extend the lifespan of the blower motor and prevent property owners from facing the expense of installing a new furnace.
Review All Vents for Blockages
All vents must be free and unblocked. Not all vents are installed in the walls or ceiling, and the property owner must keep items off the vents that are installed through the floor. When testing the vents, the technicians make sure the fins are not broken and remain in place according to how open the dial is.
If any of the vents are broken, the technicians will present an estimate for repairing or replacing the floor vents. They will show the property owner the best ways to maximize heat in each room and how to regulate the amount of heat flowing into the living spaces.
Testing for Gas Leaks
Gas leaks are dangerous for everyone, and furnaces can have gas leaks if they are not maintained properly. Technicians test the furnace for leaks and ensure that any leaks they find are managed properly. They will clean up any residue that was left behind on the property from these leaks.
If the gas leaks were because of the furnace, the technician presents the costs to the property owner. However, if they find a gas leak from the utility lines, the utility provider is responsible for these repairs, and the property owner could get a higher gas bill because of the leak.
Complete Seasonal Cleaning Services
Complete seasonal cleaning services are a must for all property owners, and the technicians will open the entire furnace to complete these services. They clean all major components in the interior unit, and if the property has an exterior unit that connects to the furnace, the technicians remove all debris from inside the unit, too.
The technicians use appropriate cleaners to remove stuck-on debris and dust from the components. They will remove the parts and ensure that they are cleaned completely before starting the unit. It is recommended that the property owner set up seasonal cleaning before starting their HVAC systems each year.
Test the Heating Load
The heating load determines how well the furnace heats the home and keeps it at a comfortable temperature. Property owners must choose the best furnace for their home, and if the service provider that installed the system didn’t calculate the heating load properly, the unit might not be the correct size for the property.
When testing the furnace, the technicians consider the load and choose a system according to the square footage of the property. If the property needs a different furnace, the technicians provide a complete estimate for the new installation and the removal of the existing furnace. An upgrade could present the property owner with a better heating source.
Review the Home for Hazards Near the Furnace
It is critical to maintain the space around the furnace and eliminate possible hazards that could lead to a house fire or explosion. The location of the furnace in the home defines what hazards could be present that increase these risks. The property owner shouldn’t place anything against the exterior of the furnace unit. This could prevent proper circulation and cause overheating.
If the furnace is on a lower level of the property, such as the basement, the property owner must avoid placing combustibles anywhere near the furnace. This increases serious risks in the home and could place the property owner and their family at risk.
Test All Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors alert the property owner when harmful gas is detected in the home. This alert could save their lives and give them enough time to get out of their home before they succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning. When completing maintenance, the technicians will assess the carbon monoxide detectors and ensure they are working properly.
Whenever the carbon monoxide detector is malfunctioning, it does not give property owners the protection they need. If it is failing, the technicians provide details about replacing the equipment. Replacement natural gas detectors can be installed the same day if the service provider has them in stock.
Evaluate the Pilot Light
The pilot light must function properly or the furnace will not operate correctly. The pilot light must engage to burn the gas and get the furnace ready to distribute heat throughout the property. Pilot lights can become clogged and won’t engage as the gas starts the flow.
These issues can lead to an explosion or house fire if the pilot light engages after too much gas has leaked from the heater. The technicians evaluate the pilot light and determine if there are any issues that require cleaning or a complete replacement of the pilot light.
Remove Residue from the Flame Sensor
The flame sensor develops residue and fails to operate properly. When cleaning the flame sensor, the technicians must follow a careful process to avoid damaging it. It is one of the more temperamental components of a furnace in that one wrong move during servicing and it has to be replaced. Property owners should never try to clean or maintain the component on their own.
Assess All Belts for the Motor
The motor belts cannot show any signs of wear or tear as this presents a serious issue, and the belts can break easily. If these belts break, the motor will not turn and work properly. When assessing the belts, the technicians ensure that the belts aren’t damaged and will continue to operate as expected. They will provide an estimate for the replacement services and replace damaged belts to prevent sudden breakdowns.
Lubricate All Moving Parts
All moving parts inside the furnace must be lubricated properly before the system is turned on. After the technicians complete seasonal cleaning services, they evaluate the lubrication of all moving parts. If the parts aren’t lubricated properly, they could grind together and become irreparably damaged. This could increase the cost of maintenance significantly, and property owners face higher costs unnecessarily.
Property owners must complete vital tasks to keep their furnace operating properly. If they don’t complete maintenance properly, the major components could fail, and they won’t distribute the heated air throughout the home. If a component fails, the system may draw more energy and increase the cost of heating the home. The maintenance tasks help technicians find the source of many problems, and the homeowner could avoid excessive repair costs by hiring a professional to complete these tasks. Maintenance services improve the way the furnace performs and prevent the homeowner from incurring unnecessary costs.
