Fire Up Your Furnace With These Easy Heater Maintenance Tips

Without a working furnace in your home during the coldest months, the comfort of your family can be put in jeopardy. For that reason, your heating system must remain in excellent condition throughout the year so that it is ready to keep you warm when you need it. Replacing a broken furnace can be quite expensive, particularly if you have an emergency and need heat right away. Fortunately, taking good care of your heater now will ensure that you are always protected from chilly weather in the future. These simple heater maintenance tips can help you keep your furnace running smoothly.

1) Make sure that the vents and ductwork are always clean and free of dust.

While you probably know that the inner workings of your heater need to be maintained, the outer vents need some attention too. It's crucial to ensure that these vents are clear and fully accessible at all times. Otherwise, hot air is unable to properly flow into your living space without running into obstructions. To adequately clean the vents, you should brush away any dust and debris from the covers as well as from floor registers. Don't forget to check inside the ductwork, wiping out anything that could clog up the openings. A vacuum hose is a reliable way to remove dirt and dust from vents and ductwork that are difficult to reach. If you don't want to tackle this task on your own, a heating maintenance service has the tools and expertise to make your vents spotless.

2) Confirm that the flame sensor and blower motor are still in good working condition.

Another heater maintenance tip that can help your furnace stay in superb shape is to inspect the flame sensor and blower motor. Both elements are essential parts of your heating system, so you'll need to look at each piece individually to ascertain its current condition. For the flame sensor, check that the metal rod is completely clean. If the flame sensor appears to be excessively dirty, a hazardous gas may be inadvertently released into your home. Additionally, since the flame sensor is fragile, you should ask a heater repair contractor to clean the sensor for you. The blower motor must be examined too. This motor is instrumental in circulating warm air within your home, but the electrical parts are prone to breaking down the longer that the blower runs. A heating service technician will verify that the motor is functional and make repairs if any issues are evident. 

3) Replace your furnace filter on a regular basis.

You'll also need to add a furnace filter replacement to your heater maintenance checklist as well. If you don't change out the filter when scheduled, your heating system might have trouble sustaining a sufficient rate of airflow. In turn, this could cause a substantial decrease in the efficiency of your furnace and force the system to work harder than it should. Over time, your heater will inevitably break down as it continues to operate under strain. To prevent this problem, be sure to replace your furnace filter every 90 days. A heating maintenance service can provide guidance about the ideal filter for your system and the best timing to install a replacement.

The tips described above will keep your heater strong and stable, even during long periods of dormancy. Give a heater maintenance service, such as Climate Tech, Inc., a call today to make sure that your furnace is fully prepared for the winter.

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