Tips On Gas Furnace Maintenance
When it comes to gas furnace maintenance you can never be too safe. It can be very expensive to replace a gas furnace, so you want to do all you can to ensure that yours is kept in good working order throughout the year. While you may only use your furnace during the winter months, you still need to maintain it through the whole year.
Gas furnace maintenance might not be out of your league – you may be able to handle all aspects of this job. Here are several furnace maintenance tips that you should follow no matter if your unit is gas or propane:
#1 Check for leaks
The last thing you want in your gas furnace is a leak. This is very dangerous, and a situation that you never want to deal with. You can tell if you have a leak by the buildup on the floor, or by the smell of gas. To ensure your safety going forward, a gas leak should be checked out and fixed by a professional. This is a very important when it comes to gas and propane furnaces.
#2 Check the thermostat
Although this has nothing to do with the unit itself, the two are related in many ways. When your thermostat is not working as it should your furnace will not properly heat your home. This means that you may be wasting energy and money, not to mention having to live in a house that is either to cold or to warm.
#3 Check the air filter regularly
Remember to change the air filter when required. Some people think that a furnace filter is good for many years – this is not true. In fact, at the most you should expect three years out of your filter. These are inexpensive gas furnace parts and are easy to install on your own. There really is no reason to let yours get old.
#4 Check the pilot light
If the pilot light is out on your furnace is not going to work. It is important that you make sure your pilot light is lit and in proper working order. The color of the flame should be deep blue. Any other color may indicate that your furnace is not working properly. This is crucial step in your gas furnace maintenance and is often neglected by many home owners.
#5 Check the venting at least once per year
You should check the vent that is hooked up to your furnace to ensure that there is no excess debris of blockage. If the venting is blocked it can lead to many health related issues, including carbon monoxide poisoning.
As a homeowner, maintenance is very important – this is definitely true with your furnace. The above five tips may sound like a lot of work, but once you get used to them it will only take a few minutes of your time. It is better to be safe than sorry. A furnace that is not properly maintained can lead to health risks as well as a unit that breaks down sooner than it should. Be sure to follow these five gas furnace maintenance tips!
