Furnace maintenance 101

The furnace is the heart of the home, keeping you warm on the chilliest winter nights. But even our most reliable appliances need a little TLC sometimes. Regular maintenance may extend your furnace’s life and keep your utility costs down.

1. Change your furnace air filters a minimum of every three months. Dirty filters make your furnace work harder, which can increase energy costs, damage equipment, and lead to early furnace failure.*

2. Create a regular maintenance schedule. Schedule your annual furnace maintenance in early fall, before technicians get busy in the winter season and before you need to turn on your furnace.

3. Pay attention. If you notice anything unusual, like a strange sound when the furnace starts or water leaking from the unit, call a technician to inspect your system.

1. Safety. Many furnaces are fueled by gas, so they’re at risk for carbon monoxide leaks and fire hazards.

2. Efficiency and performance. If your furnace sounds like it’s working harder than usual, it probably is. This can lead to higher energy bills.

3. Longevity and baseline maintenance. Experts say that just like your car needs oil changes, your home’s heating and cooling systems should get checkups to keep them running properly.

When a technician comes to service your furnace, they should:

1. Inspect the controls and gas pressure.

2. Perform a burner combustion analysis.

3. Perform a heat exchanger inspection.

4. Evaluate the location of the furnace.

5. Check the burner performance, temperature rises, and fan control settings.

6. Clean the furnace.

7. Lubricate parts.

8. Check all controls and vents for air flow volume.

DIY projects are great, but it’s best to leave furnace maintenance to the pros!