The furnace is considered to be one of the most important components in your home during winters. A properly maintained furnace system will deliver maximum heat output without wasting energy. However, if you delay maintenance for too long, then your heater could become costly to run and produce unhealthy indoor air or break down when you need it the most.
Thus, it is recommended to contact a reputable furnace repair company like https://furnace-repair-toronto.ca to operate the system at an optimal level. Here are a couple of the essential maintenance tips to prepare your furnace for the winter.
Turn On the Thermostat
Switch from cooling to heating mode and set the temperature back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its standard-setting. In case the heat doesn’t kick on within a minute, pull off the cover and ensure the wire connections are secure. Check the furnace fan, blower, or heat pump, or simply call a professional.
Properly Calibrate Your Thermostat
If your thermostat is not calibrated correctly, you might end up spending more energy. If dirt gets inside the thermostat, then it can lose calibration. Get your thermostat check properly and calibrate annually or hire a well-experienced professional for the best fuel and cost-efficiency.
Change The Air Filters.
Air filters can be found in a vent grill in the wall or ceiling. Change these filters every 2-3 months or have a permanent electrostatic filter to wash and reuse them. Replacing or cleaning your filters regularly keeps particles out of your furnace system and can increase its lifespan.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans and Cut Your Heating Costs
You can reverse your ceiling fans to force warm air downwards, which keeps your home more comfortable. Switching to clockwise rotation pushes the warm air that has risen to the ceiling back down into the living space. This can cut your heating cost up to 10%.
Inspect Dust and Vacuum
Dust, dirt, and debris can reduce the performance of your furnace. As per the latest study, 10% to 30% of heated air in an average system escapes from Dust.
Avoid this situation using a soft-tripped paintbrush and apply it gently against the furnace’s inner component to lose Dust without damaging its interior.
Clean the Flame Sensor
You should clean a dirty flame sensor at least once a year as it will stop the unit from working altogether. You can unscrew the furnace’s sensors, hold them from the bottom, and clean the sensors with an emery cloth. Once it is clean, you can ask a furnace repair service company like https://furnace-repair-toronto.ca for the replacement.
Clean Your Windows
Cleaning your windows will allow the winter to sunshine in. Maximize sun exposure by paying more attention to the south side of your home, as it will warm up your home and enable you to reduce energy bills a bit.
Test the Igniter Switch
If you’re using an old system, then you might need to relight the pilot. However, newer systems have electronic igniters. In case it doesn’t work, then push the reset button or check your breaker. It still doesn’t work? Call a professional for help.
Change Your Furnace Filter To Avoid Trouble.
You may have changed the filters at the end of the heating season, but it’s time to change them again. A new filter costs a little while a furnace cost so much. Then, why should you take a risk to damage it?
Replacing the filter is relatively easy and helps you well in preparing your furnace for winter. Old filters put more stress on the compressor and can lead to many mechanical failures in the long run.
Dirty filters make it hard to perform your furnace. Or, at least you should replace a disposable filter every six months or as per your manufacturer’s recommendation. Clean baseboard heater and radiators as well.
Set a date on the calendar after cleaning or changing the furnace filters so you can keep track of the next cycle and easily remember when the filter should be changed.
Clean Your Flue and Chimney
Hire a technician to inspect and clean your chimneys periodically. Furthermore, your furnace flue ventilates toxic gas, so it must be clean and free of obstructions such as bird nests or fatty deposits of soot.
Consider a Professional for Any Mechanical Maintenance
If you don’t have a mechanical background, proper maintenance tasks relating to your furnace can become difficult. If you feel uncomfortable handling any of the tasks mentioned above, bring in a professional furnace repair service company.
Yearly furnace maintenance by a qualified technician can assure you that your furnace is running at peak efficiency, and you can additionally identify problems at an early stage.
Before cold weather strikes, set up an appointment to have your furnace system inspected by a professional.
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