Follow Author Furnaces are one of those things we don’t think about until the time comes to turn it on and it isn’t working, kind of like your car’s carburetor. The issue with a furnace is that you need it to keep you and your family warm. Unfortunately, by the time you find out about problems, it may be too late. For those in frigid climates with the temperamental weather, Edmonton for example, a broken furnace when it’s below freezing out can bring some serious concerns. Because of this dilemma, it isn't just recommended to have your heater checked regularly, for some it could be considered a requirement.
Why and How Often Your Furnace Requires Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is non-time consuming and inexpensive service that is worth scheduling. For newer furnaces, experts recommend regularly scheduled support once every couple of years, for models that have hit their ten-year mark, an annual checkup is suggested. The best time to schedule someone to look at your furnace is towards the end of summer, or about a month before you will most likely be needing it. This ensures that you don’t have any surprise issues right when you need heat the most.
Keep Your Family Safe with These Furnace Maintenance Tips For Edmonton Home Owner
With all of the problems that a poorly functioning furnace can impose, it is necessary to learn some furnace maintenance tips for Edmonton homeowner. Not only can a dirty heater be dangerous, but an ill-functioning appliance also burns more fuel and produces less heat. If you have ever had an extremely dirty furnace cleaned, or an old one replaced, there is no doubt you noticed a difference in your heating and gas bill. That hundred dollars yearly maintenance fee begins to look minuscule compared to a high monthly heating bill difference. To keep your family efficient and safe, here are a few tips to remember.
1. Don’t forget to Schedule Annual Maintenance
As already mentioned, regular inspections are imperative, but because we don’t usually need our furnace year round, we tend to forget about scheduling a cleaning specialist until the last minute. Depending on the time of year and weather, HVAC companies can become busy and booked weeks out. They realize it’s an inconvenience to their clients and will happily make themselves available to you at earlier times. Many companies send out cleaning reminders too to help you stay ahead of the rush. Ask your furnace company about sending you a reminder, and they will most likely be delighted to schedule your home in advance.
2. Know the Inner Workings of your Furnace
Furnaces have different parts that work together to heat your home. The gas tank, the duct system, and the machine itself are all pieces in a vast heating web. HVAC companies will check that all of these systems are running smoothly, but it is also vital for you to know what is going on inside that big heating device and how to fix it. The main parts of a furnace that require cleaning are the filter, the blower, and the blower motor.
The furnace filter should be changed every two to three months and helps to capture dust and debris that could be sucked into your system. If you live in a dusty area or have pets that are prone to shedding, you could need to change your filter once a month.
The furnace blower, or fan, and the motor are two more essential parts in the functioning of your appliance. These pieces will not work without the other, and a poorly functioning or burnt out the engine is easy to recognize. Poor airflow or a continuously shutting off system are two indications of a needed motor change. Homeowners can check the functioning by turning on blower only mode to listen and observe. Replacement can be done on one's own or by a repairman. It doesn’t take long and is relatively inexpensive, a little more than the price of annual maintenance.
3. Teach your Family about Pilot Lights, what the Flame Color means, and what to do if it Goes Out
Gas furnaces have a small flame called a pilot light that ignites the furnace burners and stays lit when running. Attached to the pilot light is a thermocouple which acts as a safety shut off if something malfunctions or the flame goes out. One of the most frustrating occurrences is when you don’t know how to relight a pilot light in a cold room late at night. Because of this, it is important to teach all family members how to light the furnace pilot in case they ever find themselves in such a situation.
A pilot light that won’t stay on isn’t necessarily an issue and can mean many things including an old, dirty, or broken thermocouple. An HVAC person would be able to see and fix this during a scheduled visit. The primary concern of the furnace flame is the color of the burner. Blue means that a furnace is functioning correctly, but yellow means that there are a carbon monoxide leak and the heater should be shut off immediately.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and unseen gas that can cause severe illness and even death. Any machine that is designed to burn fuel emits a small amount of carbon monoxide, but an old, dirty, or broken one can produce higher levels over the years. Regular furnace care is critical because of this factor.
4. Know When You Need a New Furnace
According to Acclaimed Furnace, It is recommended to consider furnace replacement anytime after the appliance turns fifteen years old. With many companies regularly producing highly efficient models, in some cases, it may be more beneficial to your heating bill to buy a new one every ten years. Odd noises coming from the system, improper functioning, lack of airflow, or continuous repairs within the last couple of years are all reasons to start looking into replacing your old device.
Published by will Ent
