4 Tips To Keep Your Furnace Working All Winter Long
Posted on: 18 April 2018
Your gas furnace is probably something you don't spend a lot of time thinking about, but it can quickly become the only thing on your mind if it goes out in the middle of the winter. If you want to ensure you and your family stay toasty warm until spring arrives, here are a few tips that can help.
1. Get an Inspection Before Something Goes Wrong
For best results, schedule an annual inspection with a furnace repair specialist before anything actually happens. A good HVAC professional will be able to give your gas furnace a good cleaning to ensure it is running as efficiently as possible before the coldest days of winter arrive.
2. Keep an Eye on the Air Filter Throughout the Winter
After the repairman is done with the inspection and has made any needed fixes, it is then up to you to keep your gas furnace in top shape. One of the simplest tasks that you should be able to do yourself is to inspect and replace the air filter as needed. This filter is responsible for trapping dust and other debris that could cause your furnace to get clogged and run less efficiently.
3. Work Safely
If you are going to try and clean or fix anything besides the air filter, make sure you turn the furnace and any related circuits completely off. If you smell gas at any time while working on the furnace, stop immediately and call a professional for help.
4. Clean the Vents and Blower
If it is an especially cold winter and your furnace is seeing a ton of use, you'll also want to clean the vents and the blower as needed. After you've taken care of the safety steps above, you should move to clear any debris you find. Debris can gradually accumulate near the vents and within the blower just like it can with the air filter. The blower should be located right near the air filter and may have a similar problem. If the air filter became filled with dust before you had a chance to clean it, some of it may have ended up in the blower.
If you want to ensure that your gas furnace works well throughout the whole winter, get it inspected every fall before the coldest weather arrives. After that, it's up to you to keep the air filter, vents and blower free of dust and debris. If you discover any problems you can't fix, contact a furnace repair specialist.
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