Your Easy-to-Understand Furnace Care Guide
Neglecting your furnace until something goes wrong can lead to trouble. Now, you must pay higher emergency fees and contend with stress that you could have avoided. Keep those headaches at bay by following this guide to furnace care.
Regular Filter Changes
Filters trap particles that float in the air, such as dust, pet hair, pollen, and dirt, and keep them from circulating throughout your home or getting into the furnace. Dirty filters make your machinery work harder. Eventually, your system will overheat due to restricted airflow.
Check your filter every 3 months by holding it up to the light. If no light shines through the mesh, then it is time for a change. Change your filter monthly if your household has many people or pets.
Unblock the Vents
Blocked vents can raise the static pressure inside the ducts and can damage your system. Make sure there are no obstructions, such as curtains, rugs, or furniture, so that the air can flow freely.
You may mistakenly believe that you can close off the vents to unoccupied rooms or to areas of the home that you want to keep cooler. Don’t do this.
Remove the Clutter
Remove clutter from around the furnace. If your system can’t breathe, it can catch fire. Make sure you have at least 3 feet of empty space around your furnace.
Schedule Annual Inspections
Furnaces can wear down as they age despite the best care. HVAC experts recommend that you schedule a furnace inspection annually so that they can find and fix any problems that lurk beneath the surface.
During the inspection, the HVAC technician will check and clean the system and will lubricate any moving parts. They will also alert you if they find any problems and work with you to develop a plan to fix them.
Be Alert to Strange Sounds
You shouldn’t hear strange sounds while your furnace runs. Noises like rattling, banging, screeching, and grinding mean trouble.
Rattling occurs when components loosen and need to be tightened. Screeching can mean that moving parts need lubrication or the fan belt needs to be replaced. You’ll hear a bang sound when the gas doesn’t combust fully, which can be dangerous because this can crack your heat exchanger and let carbon monoxide seep out into your home. Grinding that sounds like metal rubbing on metal means that the bearings in the motor are failing.
If you hear any of these noises, stop running the system and call for help straight away. Continuing to use your furnace can create bigger problems like permanent damage.
Having to take time out of your weekend to do these extra chores can be annoying. But caring for your furnace ensures that you and your family can remain warm and safe all winter. If you live in Panama City, FL or a surrounding area and need furnace installation services, make your first call to Ridge Heating & Air Conditioning.
