When would you get a furnace repair? Would you wait until strange smells exited your ducts? Would you wait until the energy bills increased dramatically? Waiting until then could be waiting too long! It’s important to familiarize yourself with your furnace and heating system, so you won’t have to make emergency repairs.
What to Look For?
When the furnace is on, you should see a consistent blue flame. Orange flickering embers are a sign your furnace isn’t working properly. After checking the flames, turn off your furnace, so you can look inside. Wait until it has fully cooled off before proceeding.
When you look inside your cold furnace, look for the following:
General dirt and soot buildup: Dirt and debris inside your furnace can cause it to overheat. Sensitive parts of the furnace, such as an A-coil, can malfunction when clogged with dirt and grime. If you see a lot of dirt inside your furnace, cleaning this out with a small vacuum can help your furnace in the long haul. If you move anything around to get to the hard to reach parts of the furnace, keep track and return those parts to the proper place.
Clogged filter: A dirty filter can hamper the performance of your furnace. You should be changing your filter routinely at least once every three months and never let it sit for over a year.
Additional Maintenance Steps
Homeowners who may be intimidated by cleaning out a furnace might feel better about our other main tip for fall: cleaning your floor vents. These can get caked with dust, pet hair and food. The more it’s packed with dirt, the more efficiency you lose when heating your home. Remove the vent plates and clean the space below them with a vacuum hose. Those steps should make sure your ducts stay healthy and efficient.
If you any of these or other problems with your furnace, it is best to call a professional. Morris Heating and Air Conditioning is the go-to source for furnace or other system issues in the Ispwich and Essex County area. Contact Morris Heating and Air Conditioning at (978) 961-0338 or morrisheatingandair.com for a free estimate.