Does your furnace need a tune-up before the cold weather hits? Call us at SM Mechanical Services at 860-296-5100 for furnace maintenance you can count on.
Routine maintenance is key to a well-functioning HVAC system. You might not think about your furnace until it’s time to turn it on for the winter season, but it needs attention to keep it working. In addition to running through a few easy furnace maintenance steps every year, you should also schedule a regular furnace inspection appointment with your local professionals.
By following this furnace maintenance checklist, you can keep your furnace chugging along for years to come and identify any issues early. Read on to learn how to take care of your furnace so it can continue to take care of you!
Change the Filter
Make sure your furnace filter is clean to help your furnace operate effectively. A clogged filter prevents your furnace from transporting warm air.
Make sure you check it every 30 to 90 days based on your needs to keep your furnace working efficiently. You can take buy filters at any hardware store and replace them yourself to help take care of your furnace.
If you have a pet in the house or a family member suffers from allergies, change the filter more frequently: every 30 days.
Clean the Burner
You can do this yourself or call for reliable furnace repair by SM Mechanical Services in West Hartford, but your burner needs cleaning at least once a year. The furnace needs to be off before burner cleaning for safety purposes.
You can check the burners when you change your filters to keep up with their cleaning regularly. Remove any built-up dirt or grime with a cloth to keep the airflow clean and uninterrupted and improve your furnace’s efficiency. Make sure to clean the burner’s flame sensor while you’re there.
Inspect the Heat Exchanger
While you have the furnace off, remove the panel and look at the heat exchanger behind the burner. If you notice any odor, cracks, or damage, you’ll want a professional to check it out. You can easily see any damage and hear if it’s acting up. If it’s noticeably dirty, give it a quick wipe with a cloth for optimal performance.
Clear the Return Air Vent
Your return air vent needs to be clear so that air can flow through it uninterrupted. Rust or water near your return air vent are signs that it might need some care. Pay attention to any leaks, and ensure you can see clearly through your vent.
If you notice any damage, contact our team at SM Mechanical Services. We can help you make sure your return air vent is clear, clean, and running correctly. If there’s any irreparable damage, we can replace to to make sure your furnace is working optimally.
Keep an Eye on the Gas Line
Hearing odd sounds or smelling gas are signs that you need a professional to come to look at your gas line. If you see or hear anything odd, call us here at SM Mechanical Services immediately for an emergency inspection. Gas line issues can be particularly dangerous, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Check Motors and Bearings
Making sure the motors and bearings in your furnace are working well is a job for the professionals. Our team will clean and oil these key components during your yearly maintenance appointment to lengthen the longevity of your furnace so it lasts you a lifetime.
Check Your Thermostat
Your furnace turns off and on based on what your thermostat says the indoor temperature is. Confirm that your thermostat is set to the correct temperature. If your thermostat needs recalibration, our professionals can set it to work better for your energy efficiency goals.
Inspect the Ignitor and Pilot Valve
Gas furnaces need their ignitor and pilot valve to work correctly to create the flame that leads to the heating process. This can be dangerous for inexperienced homeowners, so leave it to the professionals to replace them to achieve the best possible performance from your gas furnace.
Flush Drains and Traps
Our professionals will flush drains and traps to check for damages. This process effectively points out anywhere that could be leaking or clogged. Identifying these issues early on can mitigate further damage occurring to your valuable furnace.
Check Your Panels
Loose panels can cause unusual noises or lack of efficiency. Our professionals secure your panels to attain the best possible performance from your furnace, reduce noisiness, and protect you from carbon monoxide that gas furnaces can emit. Bring us out to check your panels as part of your routine maintenance regimen.
Check Controls and Safeties
Common types of controls and safeties shut your furnace down if it’s not operating correctly. If this happens, your furnace needs to be reset manually. Our professionals check your controls and safeties to make sure they’re working correctly.
Monitor Flue Pipe and Manifold Pressure
The flue pipe and manifold are important operating mechanisms that professional HVAC technicians should check at routine maintenance appointments. Routine checks ensure furnace stability, safety, and efficiency. We adjust these to work with your particular furnace, optimizing its performance.
Extra Steps
Upgrade your furnace maintenance checklist to include a variety of extra tests by calling in a professional HVAC company. We perform tests for static air pressure, temperature, gas pressure, and combustion-gas analyses. We strongly recommend these tests for aged furnaces to ensure they’re operating at peak efficiency.
SM Mechanical Services
At SM Mechanical Services, we put in the time and effort to provide a thorough furnace check. We clean each element, ensuring that the key components of your furnace are working effectively. Trust our local furnace experts to help you complete this furnace maintenance checklist every year for optimal heating capabilities.
Call us at 860-296-5100 to schedule your routine furnace maintenance appointment with us today! Check out our other blogs, like how to know whether it’s alright to just leave AC on when you leave home. For all of your heating and cooling needs, trust us here at SM Mechanical Services.