Your furnace is one of the most critical parts of your house. If your furnace has ever gone out in the winter, you know exactly how much you need it. However, when it’s not cold outside, it can be easy to forget, and you might even wonder, is furnace maintenance necessary?
Your furnace needs to be checked regularly to avoid a winter catastrophe. Following a furnace maintenance checklist can keep it running smoothly and avoid more significant issues.
How often should home furnace maintenance be performed? Most items on your furnace maintenance checklist can be done about once a year. Some things, like changing the filters, should be done at least every three months, if not once per month. A good time to go through your furnace maintenance checklist is in the late summer or early fall, before the weather gets cold.
Your Home Furnace Maintenance Checklist
Replace the Air Filters
This is one of home furnace maintenance’s simplest and most essential elements. Filters should be replaced at least every three months, ideally every month. It helps to take a picture of the filter to remember what size to buy and how it should be positioned.
Clean Burners
Make sure the furnace and power are off before performing this maintenance. To clean the burners, vacuum out the area first. Then remove the burners, inspect them, and clean them with a brass wire brush. Furnace burners should be cleaned every year.
Test Smoke and CO Detectors
Follow the directions on the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries and then conduct a test of each.
Test the Thermostat
Set your thermostat to the heat setting and run your furnace. Make sure the thermostat settings correspond to the function of your furnace.
Clean the Humidifier
If your furnace has a humidifier, clean it each time you perform home furnace maintenance. This will help ensure proper function. Be sure to turn off the power first.
Inspect Controls and Wiring
Turn off the power and ensure the wiring is well-connected without frayed or loose wires.
Check Blower and Fans
Access the blower by removing the corresponding panel when your furnace is off. Make sure the blower fans move smoothly. You can oil them if needed. Also, look at the fan belts to see if they’re in good condition.
Check the Gas Line
Inspect the gas line running to the furnace to look for cracks, damage, or potential issues.
Inspect Air Registers and Ducts
Examine each air register and as many ducts as you can see with a flashlight. Look for dirt, dust, or other obstructions and clean as needed.
The Importance of Furnace Inspections
Following a furnace maintenance checklist can add a lot of life and improve furnace performance. To get the most out of your furnace, you should schedule regular furnace inspections with an OyBoy Heating and Cooling professional.
A furnace inspection and tune-up involve professional-level cleaning and maintenance. It’s a close look at the overall condition of your furnace and each component. A tune-up is a wise investment that can detect any furnace issues before they become significant problems.
With regular home furnace maintenance and inspections, you can enjoy a furnace that runs more reliably and heats more efficiently. You can also prevent a furnace breakdown right when you need it most.
Contact OyBoy Heating and Cooling to schedule furnace maintenance today.
