Spending time and money on checkups throughout the year might seem like a bore, but we guarantee you’ll wish you had if you end up with a broken furnace mid-winter. Here are our top tips for home maintenance plus some pointers for letting professionals give your furnace a once over.
Replace filters
Filters
protect your furnace from dirt, debris and other things that can clog up the
airflow. But, like all filters, they need to be routinely changed or maintained
to ensure that they are effective. Every three months is a good rule of thumb
for changing or cleaning (depending on the kind you have) furnace filters.
However, if you have pets or any allergies or respiratory conditions, we
recommend doing it more regularly.
Check
the thermostat
If you’ve
noticed any inaccuracies or functionality issues with your thermostat – or even
if you haven’t – it’s a good idea to do a quick manual once over. Making sure
that your furnace is turned off, check all wiring connections to ensure there
are no faulty or rusty wired, or any debris. You can also check the fan speeds
and use a temperature gauge to check that the thermostat is accurately reading
the temperature in your home. If you’re unsure at all, have a professional do
this for you.
Inspect
the ducts
Thoroughly
inspect your ducts to make sure that there are no gaps or leaks. Repairing
these (or calling a professional to do so) will make sure your furnace is
working efficiently and not unintentionally spreading warm air around the
basement instead of your living room or bedrooms. Dust can accumulate in your
ducts and may require a professional service to clean them out every few years.
Use a
professional once a year
Regardless
of how thorough your checks are, it’s a good idea to have a professional come
and maintain your furnace. Get in touch with an HVAC contractor and sign up for
a protection plan that schedules an annual maintenance appointment and gives
you peace of mind. These thorough furnace inspections will keep your home safe,
warm and more energy efficient.
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