You may not think about it, but your furnace serves a very important purpose in keeping your home comfortable and safe. Unfortunately, all that heat circulating around your house means that things get dirty. It’s time to give your furnace a good cleaning.
It’s crucial to schedule furnace maintenance if you want your furnace to keep running smoothly throughout the colder months. To learn more about tips for maintaining your home’s heating system this winter, see this article.
Change the air filter
Air filters are usually a homeowner’s first line of defense when it comes to keeping their heating and cooling system running at peak performance. If your air filter is clogged, your furnace will have to work a lot harder to keep you warm or cool. A clean air filter also helps ensure that your system is working at its most efficiently, which will save you money on your energy bills. Clean or change your filter once every month.
Clean up the area around the furnace
If you’ve got a furnace in your home, then you likely know how important it is to keep it well maintained. Before you do anything else, it’s important first to take a good look at the area around the furnace to see if there’s anything that needs to be cleaned up. If you have kids or pets, you may find that there are some toy pieces that need to be picked up. You may also find that there are some dust bunnies or other types of dirt in the area. If you have leaves and other yard debris near the furnace, make sure to remove them regularly. This will allow for better airflow into and out of your furnace. Be sure to keep the area around the furnace tidy. This will help to ensure your furnace runs smoothly.
Clean vents and ducts
Most furnaces have the motor located in the attic so that the warm air can travel through the ductwork. The air needs to be able to flow freely to make the furnace work efficiently. A lot of times, these vents and ducts can collect a lot of dirt and debris. If you don’t have them cleaned, the furnace won’t be able to provide you with the warmth you need, and it can also cause breakdowns and repairs to the furnace.
Keep heating to a minimum
While the winter is still here, so is the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. When you use your heating system, the carbon monoxide levels in your home rise. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu, so it can be easy for you to mistake them. However, there are simple things you can do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from occurring. Always keep heating to a minimum and always call services when there is a problem.
Many homeowners don’t think about their furnace unless it’s broken, but it’s essential that you set up regular maintenance appointments to make sure your home is heating properly. Furnaces are like cars; they don’t just run on their own. You have to take care of them and replace the parts that wear out over time.
Have open spaces to allow air to flow freely
When it comes to your furnace, the number one thing you can do to keep it running efficiently is to make sure your home is properly ventilated. The more airflow you have gone through a room, the better your furnace will be able to do its job. This means making sure you have only the doors you need in the areas of your home where you’ll be spending the most time and that you don’t have unnecessary furniture or other items blocking the vents.
