Performing furnace maintenance on your furnace is important. You can perform several tasks to keep your furnace in good working condition. These tasks include examining the inducer, checking the air filter, and looking for a gas leak.
Check for blockages and proper slope
Performing a thorough inspection of your home’s furnace is an important part of maintaining a comfortable and energy efficient home. Besides the obvious things such as replacing air filters and cleaning out the ducts, a thorough checkup of the ducts, vents, and evaporator coils will help you catch problems early on. It’s also worth taking the time to test the temperature control on the thermostat and the heat output of the blower to ensure that your heating system is functioning at peak performance.
While performing a furnace inspection, there are some items to look for and some to avoid. For example, if your furnace is installed on a vented system, you may need to have your contractor install a new vent liner. This will require a little more time and money, but it’s a good idea to have this done before winter weather sets in. Similarly, if your unit is located in the basement, you should make sure that it is properly insulated to prevent freezing. Keeping your unit in tip top shape will save you from a hefty bill in the long run.
In general, the best way to perform a furnace inspection is to schedule a professional HVAC contractor to perform the task. These professionals will have the necessary tools and training to perform the aforementioned tasks, and will also be more than willing to answer questions as needed. The best time to perform a furnace inspection is during the cooler months of the year, when temperatures are more conducive to a thorough inspection. If you’re interested in having a technician come out to your house to check out your unit, or to perform any other HVAC maintenance services, contact Hall’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration today!
Check for carbon monoxide
Having your furnace checked on a regular basis can help prevent carbon monoxide leaks from occurring. You should have your heating unit inspected annually, and have a carbon monoxide detector installed throughout your home. This will alert you to any problems that could occur, and can save your family from potential harm.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is produced during the combustion process. It is usually emitted from a furnace. This can cause serious health issues and even death.
There are several different appliances that can leak carbon monoxide. These include stoves, fireplaces, gas water heaters, and electric ovens. A leaking heat exchanger can also allow toxic emissions into your home.
If you suspect that your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide, you should call a licensed HVAC technician to inspect the unit. They will check for cracks and other damage that might be allowing gas to escape. Then they will run through a lengthy checklist of preventative measures to ensure that your unit is safe for your family.
Carbon monoxide is a poison that can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, and memory loss. If you have children or elderly family members in your home, you should take the issue seriously.
When you have your furnace inspected, your technician will check the flue pipe and drive belt. They will also check the pilot light and condensate drain. If there is a problem, they will repair it.
Carbon monoxide is usually emitted from the exhaust flue of a furnace. The exhaust flue is a round pipe that goes outside your house. It is designed to carry harmful substances out of your home. If you notice a burning smell or soot or smoke around your home, you may have a carbon monoxide leak.
Check for a gas leak
Detecting a gas leak during furnace maintenance is a smart way to keep your family safe. You’ll find out what to look for, how to respond, and where to get help.
The most common type of fuel used in gas furnaces is propane. However, natural gas is also sometimes used. In any case, it’s a good idea to have a professional check the lines to ensure there are no cracks.
One of the most important signs of a gas leak is a potent smell. The scent is similar to rotten eggs, and it’s meant to alert occupants of a potential leak. If you detect this, you should immediately turn off the heater.
You should also call the gas company, fire department, or emergency service to report the problem. They will come to your home and clear it of the danger.
In addition to a powerful smell, you’ll also notice strange sounds coming from the furnace. This can be caused by a leak, and can even lead to explosions.
You can also check for bubbles in the water. If there are bubbles, you’ll know that you have a gas leak.
The most important thing to do is to evacuate your house. This is a wise move, but be sure to close all doors and windows. You should not try to touch any electrical devices or sparks. The main goal is to keep your family safe.
You should also make sure to shut off the gas and turn off the furnace. In most cases, this will do the trick. But you might also need to contact a plumber. You’ll need someone who knows how to repair gas lines.
The best way to detect a gas leak is to use a gas leak detector. These are inexpensive and can keep you and your family safe.
Check the air filter
Changing your air filter is an important part of furnace maintenance. It helps prevent dust from getting inside your home and also keeps your heating and cooling system running properly. Dirty filters can cause short cycling, overheating and clogging.
There are many types of filters. Some are disposable, while others are permanent and reusable. For the latter, you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the filter.
The MERV rating of the filter indicates how much of the particles it can trap. The higher the rating, the smaller the particles. Pet dander, pollen, and dust are examples of these. The smallest particles are about 0.5 microns, while the largest are about 5 microns.
When you’re performing furnace maintenance, it’s important to note the size of the filter. Most models have a graphic on the frame, indicating the direction of air flow. If you’re not sure, call a professional to help you.
The proper filter is one that fits the dimensions of the ductwork. You should also check for gaps in the frame. These gaps could indicate that the filter is too large or too small.
When you change your air filter, you may also want to replace any gaskets or seals around the frame. These can prevent air leaks and save energy costs.
You should consider replacing the filter every three months to ensure the optimum performance of your system. You can buy new filters at hardware stores. You can also find a home warranty plan contractor to recommend the best filter for your furnace.
Performing furnace maintenance is easy. You just need to remember to do it regularly. If you forget, you’ll end up spending thousands of dollars on repair bills.
Check the inducer
During furnace maintenance, you may notice odd noises coming from the inducer. These sounds may include grinding, chattering, or wobbling. These are all signs of an inducer that’s not operating at manufacturer specs.
A good technician will test the system to find out if it’s running properly. If it’s not, the problem could be the pressure switch or a wiring problem.
If the inducer isn’t spinning, it’s most likely an electrical problem. This can be caused by a faulty relay or electronic control board. It may also be a thermostat problem. A control board that doesn’t send enough voltage to the inducer motor will not start.
If the inducer is hot, it’s most likely a bad capacitor. The capacitor stores electricity and is responsible for providing the initial “push” that causes the motor to start. This component doesn’t last forever, so you should replace it if it’s deteriorating.
Another issue could be a clogged vent pipe. A vent pipe clog can prevent the air from venting, and cause a furnace to fail. It’s easy to check for a clog by unplugging the unit.
A loud banging noise can indicate that the fan is out of shape. You can fix this by rubbing oil on the pad of the motor. If the fan is rubbing on a metal piece, it’s possible that the fan is stuck. You may need to unscrew the fan blades from the motor and turn them.
If the pressure switch isn’t working, you can check for a clog or debris in the pressure switch. A clog can cause a meter to stay open. If the pressure switch isn’t closing, the inducer isn’t delivering gas to the flame.
