Furnace Maintenance: What You Can Do and When to Call a Professional
Winters in Texas may be mild, but we still depend upon our very dependable furnaces for a few months each year. Responsible homeowners know that the furnace requires maintenance to remain dependable; an unmaintained system cannot be relied upon. What might not be clear is which furnace maintenance tasks can a regular homeowner complete, and which must be completed by a trained professional.
Your HVAC system needs professional care regularly—annual maintenance is the best approach based on research and experience. Between these furnace maintenance visits, a homeowner can do some simple tasks that can make a big difference. For instance, homeowners can:
Burner Assembly Care
Most current furnace models do not have pilot lights anymore; that technology was replaced in the early 1980s. No one misses having to light and re-light pilot lights. Most new systems have electric ignition, but the ignition source and burner might need some cleaning and care.
- If the ignitor develops a black powdery substance called soot, it can interfere with prompt ignition. But this component is extremely sensitive to movement, so it is best not to touch it. While the burner is unengaged, use canned air to blow the carbon build-up away. Remember to tell the professional about the soot, since it should not be there.
- If the burner assembly shows signs of rust, it can also interfere with the combustion of gas. The rust can be removed with a wire brush—use gentle strokes to brush it away. Excessive rust should be brought to the attention of the professional servicing your furnace.
Get to Know Your Thermostat
The thermostat is the ON/OFF switch for the furnace. Many homeowners take a “set it and forget” approach, but it is capable of far more than simply calling for heat or cooling.
- Thermostats contain minicomputers and do not use household power, they are battery-powered. That means the batteries should be changed annually to ensure the thermostat is always ready.
- Most thermostats are programmable, and some have Smart apps that connect the thermostat to a cell phone. Not everyone uses these functions. It just takes a little bit of investigation to program temperature setting changes that can make your family more comfortable and even save some money.
The Easiest Task Ever
The HVAC system uses an air filter to clean the air and it works pretty well. It works well enough that before long the filter will have collected enough dust and pollen to clog the filter and restrict airflow.
- Clean air is vital for the family. The HVAC system depends on a lot of airflow, so be responsible for changing the air filter regularly.
- Find the filter at the spot where air enters the furnace from the home. The filter slides out and a new (or cleaned) filter replaces it. Filters can be purchased from hardware stores, home improvement centers, and large box store chains.
- Give yourself calendar prompts to remind you to change the air filter every three months. You will notice if your home needs more frequent filter changes; if so, make sure to change it as needed.
Keep the Vents Clear
Speaking of airflow, homeowners should ensure the vent and return openings are free and clear of anything that might cover them. This is easily done during daily living—furniture or rugs can easily move to cover openings. While quite innocuous, it does restrict the flow of warm air into rooms, which can leave some spaces colder than others.
Homeowners cannot complete the furnace maintenance process, so schedule your preferred HVAC technician soon.
Call All Star AC & Heating for Your Furnace Maintenance, Today!
Let All Star A/C & Heating Services help with your Furnace maintenance. We have a seasoned team of HVAC contractors who will configure and design your furnace maintenance to keep you and your family comfortable.
