Low winter temperatures are rapidly approaching. You need to make sure that your furnace remains in good shape throughout the winter so that you can stay warm regardless of how low the temperature drops outside.
Either you or your HVAC technician should keep up on the following five furnace maintenance necessities this winter so that you can avoid furnace malfunctions and enjoy a comfortable interior climate until spring:
Inspecting the unit's burner for signs of corrosion
Corrosion can develop underneath a furnace's flame shield around the burner. Corrosion development is especially likely over the summer months when a furnace is not in use and moisture can develop on the burner.
The burner is one of the most important components of a furnace. Burner inspection should involve not only checking for corrosion but also running burner flames with the unit's fan on and off to make sure that everything is functioning properly. A burner can be replaced if it is affected by excessive corrosion.
Clearing away dust from air registers
It's a good idea to clear away dust from important furnace components like air registers in the beginning of the winter when the furnace is first being used. Dust can quickly be vacuumed out of air registers to improve air circulation and air quality in the home.
Sealing gaps and repairing dents in the unit's flue
Gaps and dents can be caused over time in the flue by normal furnace use. These gaps and dents can restrict air flow and decrease the efficiency of a furnace.
If there are gaps in the flue, they can be sealed up to make the flue airtight once again. Dents can be repaired in some cases, but if they are too extensive, the flue may need to be replaced.
Lubricating the unit's blower motor
Lubrication is important in keeping any type of motor operating effectively. Lubrication is used in the fans of the blower motor to allow mechanical parts to move smoothly.
If you notice that your furnace has started to make a squeaking noise while operating, there's a good chance that you're having lubrication issues. You can either contact an HVAC technician to lubricate your motor or do it yourself if you're mechanically inclined.
Replacing air filters as necessary
Replacing air filters is one furnace maintenance task that you can probably handle by yourself. How often you need to change filters will depend on a variety of factors including the size filter you use and how much dust there is in your home. For smaller filters, you might need to put in a new filter as often as once a month.
Contact an HVAC professional for assistance with any needed heating repairs.
