Identifying When a Furnace is on its Last Legs
For the Canadian homeowner, the possibility of a furnace breakdown is a thought that only begins to register when it’s already too late, like on a dreaded winter day when the temperature reaches a bone-chilling 30 degrees below zero.
Then, poof! Suddenly, your old furnace isn’t working. No heat for you. Time to start up the fireplace. And if you don’t have one… well…
Luckily, there are simple solutions to this problem. Prolonging the life of your furnace won’t take long or cost an arm and a leg. Here are some simple, affordable actions that could extend the life of your aging furnace.
5 Solutions to Help Save Your Furnace
Furnace Cleaning
First things first: Take mom’s advice from all those years she made you stay on top of regularly cleaning your room. Now, apply that to your furnace. Cleaning your furnace is a great way to maintain its performance and quality.
Before beginning the cleaning process, be sure to turn off the power to your HVAC system for safety reasons.
Cleaning the blower assembly is a great way to keep your furnace working smoothly. After unplugging the furnace, access the front panel to get to the blower.
The heat exchanger block can be cleaned as well. Vacuuming and wiping up any dirt lingering on the block will help extend the life of your furnace.
And, if all of this sounds like just a little too much work for you, Clean Air Solutions’ furnace cleaning services can make your furnace spotless and ready for heat emission in no time!
Change Filters
Another way to potentially save your furnace from biting the dust is to check for dust!
If you have a reusable filter, it’s always a good idea to check the state of the filter by removing it from the access panel on the furnace. Once removed, give the filter a decent inspection. If needed, give it a solid cleaning and then let it dry before putting it back into the access panel.
If you have a replaceable filter, take it out and inspect it once every three months for dust, dirt, or even soot; if there’s a buildup, replace the filter with a brand new one.
Perform Maintenance
Much like a car needs an assessment and tune-up every now and then, your furnace calls for it too. Depending on how old the furnace is, an annual checkup once a year from an HVAC technician is very beneficial. Problems can be detected and avoided before they happen, which could save you a lot of money.
Keep Your Home Energy Efficient
Waste not, want not! An important factor to consider is the amount of energy being consumed in your household. Limiting the amount of standby energy consumption can benefit other areas within that require more necessary energy usage, like the heat emitted by your furnace. Unplugging any rarely used devices until you really need them again will save some power. Use ceiling fans in the summertime to cool off.
Installing a thermostat inside your home can help control the levels of heating and cooling patterns and limit the usage of energy. With less unnecessary usage of the HVAC system (especially when nobody is home) a furnace will last longer with standard levels of workload.
Inspect Home Insulation for Air Leaks
Anywhere in the house (from the walls and windows to doors and vents) can have air leaks or poor insulation. Ensuring that your home is air-sealed and properly insulated will reduce the workload of your furnace. As a result, the furnace will not have to work like a runner in a marathon to maintain a certain temperature. You can also check the insulation in your attic to make sure it’s evenly spread and free of moisture.
Stay on Top of Your Furnace Needs
When your car gets dirty, it’s time for a trip to the car wash. Your furnace needs that type of treatment too! Don’t wait for it to get so dirty that problems begin to arise. Stay on the lookout for odd sounds, strange smells, and, of course, whether or not your furnace is emitting consistent heat. At Clean Air Solutions, we help ensure that your furnace gets the best service possible with our top-notch cleaning procedures and assistance. Call us today!
