5 Maintenance Tips to Ensure your Furnace Operates Safely

The furnace plays a key role in keeping a home warm and comfortable during the cold weather season. In order for this vital component of your home heating system to operate safely and efficiently, homeowners must make sure they take the necessary steps to avoid costly repairs, replacements or dangerous situations.

An unsafe furnace could consume enough oxygen to compromise the air quality in your home, or cause overheating that can lead to a fire.

Here are five things homeowners can do to ensure their furnaces are heating their homes safely:

Changing dirty filters

A filter clogged with dirt, dust and other small debris means the unit must expend more energy to operate. Energy Star recommends changing filters every three months during times of year when the furnace is not in use, and once per month during peak usage. This will make the furnace last longer, and save you money on utility bills. A dirty air filter is one factor that can reduce the indoor air quality, which can be particularly problematic for people with allergies or respiratory issues. 

Schedule regular inspections

Having your furnace regularly maintained by a qualified service technician like the ones on staff at Always Plumbing & Heating is a good first step toward making sure your heating system works without using an unusually high amount of energy. A professional can detect serious problems like tiny cracks in the combustion chamber, which can allow potentially deadly carbon monoxide to leak into your home.

Keep area clean

Never store combustible materials near the furnace, and keep any flammable materials a safe distance away from vent pipes and registers. Make sure the area housing the furnace is free of obstructions, and regularly vacuum around the furnace, vent pipes and registers to avoid lint or pet hair build-up.

Check the flue

Routinely inspect the exhaust flue for any blockages or signs of significant wear. Make sure each section is fastened securely. When checking the flue, use care when putting the cap back in place.

When in doubt, call for help

It’s good to know how your furnace operates because it will be easier to recognize a potential problem. But while some maintenance can be conducted by the homeowner, like changing filters, there are other problems that require more expertise. If you notice your furnace making odd noises, for example, it’s probably time to call in a professional.

A well-maintained furnace can keep your family warm for as long as 20 years! Like the family car, however, it needs regular care in order to do its job in a safe and cost-effective way for as long as it heats your home.