Jessica Paster The Future is Green
When winter comes, it’s good to know you have an efficient and reliable heater. However, even the best-designed and installed furnaces can experience wear and tear and lower efficiency if you neglect regular maintenance.
Routine maintenance helps ensure your heating system runs at peak performance while keeping your energy bills low. Regular tune-ups also allow you to catch problems and call in the professionals early.
Although most gas furnace problems need an HVAC specialist, there are some general maintenance tasks you can perform without professional assistance. Read on to learn some gas furnace maintenance tips from the experts at Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.
Change Air Filter
In order to maintain your gas furnace, you have to change the air filter regularly. Air filters keep your home’s indoor air quality in check and help prevent allergies and airborne infections.
But over time, filters accumulate dust, dander, pollen, and other debris. This build up reduces their ability to clean the air and forces your heater to work harder to achieve and maintain the desired temperatures.
This results in higher energy costs and inconsistent temperatures throughout your home. By replacing your air filter, you can reduce your heating costs by nearly 15% and prevent any expensive issues down the road. It’s imperative to replace your air filter every 1-3 months.
Check the Thermostat
When the temperatures outside drop, change your thermostat to a lower setting. Also, ensure you set the thermostat on “auto” so the fan will run only when your heater is running. In addition, consider setting your thermostat at 7-to-10 degrees for eight hours every day to reduce energy consumption.
Clean Ductwork
Your air ducts make up an intricate part of your HVAC system. Without them, your gas furnace cannot distribute the heated air throughout your home.
So, before winter sets in, it’s imperative to ensure your air ducts are clean and free of leaks. Clogged or leaky ductwork can affect your indoor air quality as the air passing through the ducts will be full of contaminants and allergens.
If your ducts have leaks, air will escape before reaching your home, forcing the heating system to work harder and longer to provide the heat set on the thermostat.
Although you can service your ductwork yourself, it’s best to allow a professional plumber in Norcross, GA to handle it. Air ducts are often located in hard-to-access and dangerous locations.
Check the Vents
Gas furnaces are connected to a venting system. Air must flow through the vents for your gas furnace to operate correctly.
But over time, this ventilation system can become clogged with dust, dander, pollen, and other debris. When that happens, air will not flow into your home, and your furnace can break down prematurely.
In addition, clogged vents can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be detrimental to your health or even cause death and lower your indoor air quality. Since your vents always run when the thermostat kicks in, it’s best to clean them every 3-5 years.
Clean Drainage Tube
Propane and natural gas furnaces produce some water while running. Some of this water turns into steam, but the rest drains out to the drip pan that’s usually shared with the cooling system.
If this drainage tube clogs, your furnace can fail to turn on and eventually result in poor indoor air quality inside your home due to mold growth and high levels of humidity.
Also, backed-up water can cause extensive damage to the flame sensor. Keep this drainage tube clean and clear by detaching it from the system and blowing out the air through the drain line. In addition, you can pour some white vinegar through the tube to prevent a slimy accumulation.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Although there are plenty of gas furnace maintenance tasks you can perform to keep your heating system operating at peak performance, there’s no substitute for regular tune-ups performed by qualified HVAC technicians.
A specialist can inspect your heating system, filter, ductwork, and other components to ensure your heating system remains in top condition for an extended period.
Contact Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for All Your Gas Furnace Needs
If you’re looking for an expert in Norcross, GA, to service your gas furnace, turn to Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.
Their skilled and experienced technicians have the tools and know-how to diagnose and address minor issues before they become major issues. Call their team today.