Fall Furnace Maintenance Tips You Need to Know About

Fall is the ideal time to take care of essential furnace maintenance to ensure you have a warm, cozy home throughout the coming winter. Here are some helpful tips on how to keep your heating equipment operating efficiently, reliably and safely:

Install a Programmable Thermostat

You can reduce home heating energy consumption and operating costs by up to 10 percent when you program the thermostat around your lifestyle and weekly schedule.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

An annual system inspection, cleaning and tuneup not only promotes optimal energy efficiency, it protects you against an unexpected mid-season breakdown and the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fire. Here are just some of the many important tasks that a comprehensive checkup should include:

• Testing the safety controls, including the high limit control, to prevent overheating.
• Checking the blower belt for cracks and wear.
• Testing the start-up cycle to ensure the equipment starts, operates and shuts down properly.
• Inspecting the heat exchanger for corrosion, cracks and separations.
• Cleaning the blower assembly and checking the condition of the belt.
• Checking the burner ignition and flame sensor for proper, safe operation.
• Lubricating the fan motor to reduce damaging friction.
• Tightening the electrical connections and inspecting the wiring for corrosion and rust.
• Checking the thermostat for correct calibration and accuracy.
• Inspecting the exhaust system and flue for obstructions and leaks.

Check the air Filter

Your technician will change the air filter during your fall maintenance visit, but you should follow up with monthly checks throughout the heating season. Replace the filter whenever it looks dirty.

Change the Batteries

Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly, and change them when necessary.

Maintain the Blower

To maintain energy efficiency and protect sensitive system components, periodically turn off the furnace circuit breaker, open the blower compartment door and carefully vacuum out any accumulated dirt and debris.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.