In northern climates a furnace is not an optional appliance, it is a necessity.
During a normal winter in Minnesota, outdoor temperatures regularly dip to below zero degrees Fahrenheit. A zero-degree day is not a good day to find out your furnace is not working properly! A furnace repair can be expensive and inconvenient. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help prevent some of the common issues that your furnace may have during the coldest months of the year. Read on to learn 6 furnace maintenance tips.
Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
A dirty air filter can cause a host of problems including:
- your furnace overheating as a result of inadequate airflow
- premature blower motor failure
- poor indoor air quality
- excess dirt build-up on essential components
The air filter is located in the return ductwork, usually near the furnace. Check your filter monthly and change it when it starts to look dirty.
Below is a picture of where the filter is usually located.
Open All Registers and Grilles
Air vents that are closed or blocked can cause an overheating fault, inefficiency, and pressure imbalances throughout the house.
These pressure imbalances can cause:
- Temperature imbalances
- Mold and mildew
- Carbon monoxide
- Humidity problems in the ductwork and structure of the home
Walk around your house and check all of the vents. Make sure that each vent is open, clean, and unblocked.
Check The Exhaust and Intake Vents
Clogged or blocked exhaust or intake venting will cause your furnace to not work correctly and may cause safety concerns as well. Walk around the outside of your house to find your vent outlets. Make sure that each vent is not blocked by snow, ice, plants, or anything else. Outdoor vents are a favorite home for wasps and other unfriendly creatures so be careful when doing this.
Replace The Batteries in Your Thermostat
A thermostat requires power to operate your comfort equipment. This power is provided either by batteries or by your furnace. If your thermostat loses power it will not be able to turn your furnace on! Check to see if your thermostat uses batteries and replace the batteries if necessary.
Test Your CO and Smoke Alarms
While modern furnaces are equipped with many safety controls they can still pose a health and safety risk. Most carbon monoxide and smoke alarms have an expiration date which is usually located on the back of the alarm. Make sure each alarm is not expired, hit the test button to make sure it is working, and replace the batteries.
Schedule a Professional Maintenance
A qualified and professional HVAC technician can check, clean, or replace components in your heating equipment to lower the possibility of it breaking down on the coldest day of the year and make sure it is running safely and efficiently.
Modern furnaces have come a long way through the ages. They have come from open fires, to vented fireplaces, to coal and oil furnaces, and now to 98% efficient gas-fired units and even heat pumps that heat efficiently down to -8 degrees. However, they still require maintenance to run safely, efficiently, and effectively. There are many things that you can do to keep your furnace running in tip-top shape this winter, but we are here to help along the way. Call 507-740-1579 or visit us online at www.calligniteheat.com to learn more about us or to schedule a furnace repair or a furnace maintenance.
