Chances are your furnace has probably been sitting dormant since winter, but with fall around the corner, it’ll soon be time to start warming your home again. Now is the right time to have your furnace checked.
Taking preventive steps to stave off a heater malfunction before heavy winter storms close in can bring you peace of mind that your furnace will function correctly and efficiently when you need it most.
Typical Maintenance Performed
When having your furnace checked, a qualified technician will perform a thorough inspection of your system. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical maintenance tune-up should include:
- A checkup of your programmable thermostat to ensure that it is working properly
- A check of all electrical connections to confirm none are loose
- An inspection of the blower motor and drive belt for efficient airflow, including tightening the belt and lubricating moving parts
Heating-Specific Maintenance
Keeping your furnace in efficient operating condition is imperative to keep you warm and comfortable during the cold winter months, and Michigan winters are no exception. It is also a safety issue since combustible fuels are used, and the last thing you want is to have a backdraft of poisonous carbon monoxide creeping into your living space. Your technician should perform the following furnace check:
- Inspect the burner flames to make sure they are burning clean
- Clean dust and debris away from the burners while looking for the presence of black soot, which is an indicator that the burners are not working efficiently
- Clean the pilot or hot surface igniters to make sure that the thermocouple functions properly.
One thing you can do to keep your furnace running efficiently during winter months is to change the air filter on your furnace on a monthly basis. This will ensure clean and efficient airflow through your furnace.
For more information on scheduling a furnace checkup, contact our specialists at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We have been proudly serving the communities of southeast Michigan since 1945.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about funaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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