As winter fast approaches, it is time to make certain you are not caught with a defective furnace!
Depending on the age of your HVAC system, a check-up by a reputable furnace repair pro should be a once or twice-a-year occasion. This will help stop potential problems before the temperature falls.
Between these visits, you can do a lot to maintain your furnace in tip-top shape, no matter whether you have an electric, gas, or oil heater.
Here’s a furnace maintenance checklist to get you started.
Table of Contents
Replace Air Filter
This is one of the most important, and often most forgotten maintenance item for your furnace. The air filter collects dust and dirt, and if clogged, will wreak havoc on your system’s performance.
Change your air filter every three months, especially when you are using your HVAC unit often. It’s easy to do, and many filters are inexpensive.
Your furnace repair professional will be able to tell you the best type of filter for your system, most of which can be bought anywhere.
Fall and Winter Inspection
Before the winter months, you should check the following items in your furnace:
- Ignition burners: check for dirt or corrosion, as well as strength of burn
- Examine heat exchanger for leaks (and install carbon monoxide detectors in your home as a safety measure)
- Make sure the flue pipe is securely attached to the furnace
- Inspect for gas leaks with gas furnaces and assess gas pressure
Call your HVAC professional if you suspect any problems with the above checks. They can, as part of a regular maintenance package, run tests on all the above components, and correct any issues.
Other simple things you can do before the winter include:
- Check drain pans around the unit
- Check your thermostat to make sure it runs
- Inspect your ductwork for leaks
Again, if you find problems, call your HVAC pro right away for service.
Springtime Inspection
In the springtime, you can again do a lot to keep your HVAC unit ready to give you some cooler air. Besides replacing the air filter and checking the thermostat, you should make sure you do the following:
- Clean condenser, coils, and drain lines
- Clean drain lines for proper flow and clear clogs
- Clear drain pans
- Inspect ducts for mold and dust
- Change batteries in thermostat
- Check for debris around the outside unit
Springtime is again a good time to have your HVAC pro pay a visit. Besides the above list, they can take care of maintenance issues such as:
- Checking belts and replacing old ones
- Checking fans, motors, and blades
- Checking refrigerant levels
- Lubricating all moving parts
Use This Furnace Maintenance Checklist Every Year
Now that you have the ultimate furnace maintenance checklist, consider a furnace service maintenance contract with your HVAC pro for a checkup at least once or twice a year.
Keep this checklist handy, and go through it with your pro at each visit, to ensure that your furnace will be in working order no matter what the weather!
Need more articles on homeownership, financing, and investment? Stay on this page for useful information about the business of real estate.
