Heating Maintenance Checklist for your Furnace this Winter
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image4 Heating Maintenance Checklist for your Furnace this Winter Oct 29
by oliviakendl

Heating Maintenance Checklist for your Furnace this Winter

It’s that time of year again – the cold weather is slowly making its way to our area. That means it’s time to start thinking about how you will keep your home warm this winter. One of the most important things you can do is ensure your furnace is in good shape. The Chill Brothers offer the Chill Maintenance Plan, Tune-ups, repairs, and upgrading HVAC systems for a comfortable stay in your home.

What do Furnaces do?

Furnaces are a type of heating system that turns propane, gas, or electricity into heat. When you look at the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating on your unit, you will see what percentage of the energy used by your furnace is actually turned into heat for your home. New furnaces have an AFUE rating of around 80% to 98%.

However, if your furnace is more than 20 years old, its efficiency may be as low as 60%. This means only 60% of the total electricity or gas your furnace consumes is turned to heat; the rest is wasted.

Furnaces work on the principle of forced air heating. Warm air is generated inside your system when the fuel is burned, or the electric resistance coils are heated when current flows through them. This air is then circulated through a duct system and distributed throughout your home via vents. The air is typically forced through the ducts by a blower fan.

Why are Heater Tune-ups Important?

It improves efficiency. Regular maintenance will ensure your furnace is working the way it was, meaning it will continue to consume the same amount of energy it did when it was new and still provide adequate heat for your home.

It enhances safety. For furnaces to operate safely, they must have all their parts in good working order. Over time, different components can wear out or break down, which can cause safety issues. For instance, a cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide into your home. This is why regular HVAC repair in Spring is critical.

It extends the life of your furnace. Like any other mechanical device, furnaces have a limited lifespan, usually 15 to 20 years. With proper care and maintenance, you can extend the life of your furnace and get more years of use out of it.

Heating Maintenance Checklist

Starting with the common entry point of the furnace, consider checking your filter to see if it is still in good condition. Dirty filters can negatively affect your furnace’s performance and efficiency. For instance, if there is too much debris, air won’t be able to pass through the way your system was designed to function. This can cause your furnace to strain itself and use more energy than necessary. You’ll also notice uneven temperatures in your home.

Next, ensure that your vents are not blocked. Air must circulate freely inside your home to get that cozy, even warming. But that would be impossible if furniture or other objects block the vents.

From here, you will need to consider consulting with a professional dealing with HVAC heating and cooling maintenance services. Repairs or services involving parts like furnace burners may be challenging without proper training and experience.

A Chill Brother technician can clean your gas burners (for gas furnaces) or electric resistance coils (for electric furnaces) to remove the dust and other debris that trap or reflect heat that should be heating your home.

The blower motor and belt should be checked and lubricated if necessary. They often wear out with time, affecting the performance of your furnace.

A malfunctioning thermostat can also make warming your home a nuisance. For example, if they are not calibrated correctly, your furnace might be heating your home more than necessary, wasting energy.

Furnace replacement services and Furnace repair in Houston is best left to the professionals. Although there are simple tasks like changing your filters, which you can do on your own, most require advanced knowledge and years of experience to navigate. So, if you notice that your furnace isn’t sending heat, won’t turn on, keeps shutting off, or produces weird smells, you may need a professional to check it out.

But to be safe, before you get into winter, schedule heating maintenance services to avoid breakdowns when you need your system the most.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What maintenance does a furnace need?

A.  Checking the thermostat and making any necessary adjustments. Lubricating all of the heating system’s working parts. Examining, cleaning, and replacing the air filter as necessary. Examining and testing the startup process and safety features of the system.

Q. Is a furnace tune-up worth it?

A. The likelihood of experiencing an expensive failure can be reduced by up to 95% by scheduling routine maintenance for your HVAC system. Regular maintenance can ensure that your system will continue functioning as it should by addressing minor issues before they become more serious.

Q. What does a furnace tune-up include?

A. To ensure proper temperature output, a furnace tune-up also involves gas calibration, cleaning, and examination of the furnace burner. This will keep your furnace working as effectively as possible throughout the season and guarantee safe operation.

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