Avoid Furnace Problems by Following These Maintenance Tips
It’s never too late in the season to avoid furnace problems by implementing furnace maintenance. What’s important is that you make an annual habit of it.
Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your furnace, delaying the need for costly replacement. One of the most important things you can do for your furnace is have the unit professionally cleaned once a year. A professional will make adjustments while cleaning the unit to optimize your furnace’s performance. A good professional will give you an indication of any furnace problems down the road, so you can budget for equipment replacement. Do this at the beginning of the heating season to ensure a smooth season ahead or any time you can. It’s never too late in the season to get furnace maintenance. What’s important is that you make an annual habit of it.
Integrate these additional maintenance measures into your annual spring cleaning to save money.
- Check the air filter once a month. When the filter looks dirty, replace it. A dirty filter puts additional strain on the entire furnace, motor included. This can shorten the lifespan of your furnace. Replacing the filter is easy, since the piece slides out and slides back in. Make sure that the arrows on the filter face away from you and toward the furnace when inserting the clean filter.
- Make a habit of paying attention to your furnace by listening for noises and watching for leaks. When you are familiar with the unit, you may be able to detect minor problems before the unit malfunctions — saving money on a simple repair instead of a total replacement. You don’t need to go out of your way to do this, just give the unit a once-over when you go to do laundry or retrieve items from the basement.
