A furnace is a major investment for any homeowner. That’s why furnace maintenance is so important to maintain your furnace and avoid costly repairs or replacements that may arise from a lack of routine care. To help you out, we’ve compiled 5 essential steps to maintaining your furnace:
Table of Contents
Furnace Maintenance Steps
The following steps help your furnace last longer:
Cleaning the Furnace Filter Monthly
Cleaning the furnace filter monthly is a highly effective furnace maintenance practice. In fact, if you have pets or children that spend a lot of time on your flooring then cleaning it should be done more frequently because their hair and dander can clog the furnace rapidly. If you don’t clean out your furnace filter at least once each month, your furnace will have to work much harder to heat your home, which could lead to a furnace failure.
Checking the Pilot Light
A furnace’s pilot light is its ignition system. Checking it monthly can help you diagnose and prevent common furnace problems. If the pilot light is out, there’s a good chance that the gas won’t be ignited when you try to heat your home. That means the furnace will not be able to function properly and may need furnace repairs or furnace replacement if it cannot be lit again.
Checking the Thermostat Settings
The furnace uses a thermostat to measure the temperature in your home, so it’s important that these settings are accurate for optimal performance. If the furnace’s settings are incorrect, it will not be able to heat your home efficiently and you may need furnace repairs or furnace replacement.
Checking for Leaks in Gas Pipes
When you perform furnace maintenance, it is essential that you check all gas pipes for any leaks. If there is a leak, carbon monoxide can build up in your furnace and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Even if you don’t smell or see any signs of a leak, it’s important to check for them monthly because small leaks can be easy to miss.
Replacing the Furnace Filter Seasonally
A furnace filter is vital in furnace maintenance because it prevents dust particles from entering the furnace and clogging it up. Furnace filters should be replaced every three months, but if you have allergies or asthma, they should be replaced more frequently. You can also replace the furnace filter seasonally to coincide with the changing of your furnace’s air intake baffle.
Furnace Maintenance Tools
To perform furnace maintenance, you’ll need the following tools:
Furnace Inducers
Furnace inducers are vital furnace maintenance tools that allow the furnace to heat up more quickly. While furnace inducers should be replaced every three years, furnace inducer maintenance is just as important because even if your inducer has not deteriorated yet it could become damaged while cleaning or repairing other parts of your furnace.
Furnace Filter
A furnace filter is a key part of furnace maintenance. Not only does it help keep your furnace clean, but it also prevents dust particles from entering the furnace and clogging it up. Furnace filters should be replaced every three months, but if you have allergies or asthma, they should be replaced more frequently.
Furnace Cleaning Brush
A furnace cleaning brush is an important furnace maintenance tool that allows you to clean out the furnace more thoroughly. After all, a furnace filter can only catch so much and sometimes dust will escape onto other parts of your furnace where it could cause further damage if left unchecked. Furnace brushes should be replaced every three years like furnace inducers because even if the brush looks fine, it could become damaged while cleaning or repairing other parts of your furnace.
Thermometer
A thermometer is important, it allows you to measure the temperature inside your furnace. This way, you can be sure that the furnace’s thermostat settings are accurate and that the furnace is heating your home efficiently. If the furnace is not heating your home properly, you may need furnace repairs or furnace replacement so be sure to keep track of furnace temperature readings in order to catch any problems early on.
Screwdriver
A screwdriver to access furnace filters and air intake baffles. Located near furnace blower motor housing. May require taking off the paneling in that area or removing screws/hinges holding it down depending on the type of furnace.
Furnace Humidifier Maintenance
If you have a furnace humidifier, it’s important to perform furnace humidifier maintenance every year. This involves cleaning the furnace humidifier and replacing the furnace humidifier filter. By performing furnace humidifier maintenance, you can ensure that your furnace humidifier is working properly and that your home is receiving the correct amount of humidity.
Now that you know the essentials of furnace maintenance, be sure to incorporate them into your regular furnace cleaning routine. By doing so, you’ll help keep your furnace running smoothly and prevent costly repairs or replacements down the road.
