If you use a furnace to keep your Montana home warm in winter, it’s been working hard for many months to keep your family safe, warm, and cozy. Hopefully, you’ve been impressed with its performance, and the only homeowner maintenance you’ve needed to perform has been to replace the filter regularly.
However, we’d like to suggest some more late-season furnace maintenance tips that you should perform to keep your furnace in tip-top condition. Follow these simple heater maintenance tasks to make sure your furnace is working safely and that it’ll continue to keep working efficiently for the next few months of the heating season. For more insights, check out 3 tips to stop your furnace from breaking down.
Change or clean the furnace filter.
Besides scheduling professional furnace maintenance every year, this is the next best thing you can do to help your furnace work smoothly and efficiently. The filter’s job is to catch dirt, dust, and debris and keep it out of your furnace’s internal parts, allowing it to work like a well-oiled machine. Learn how important a furnace filter is to keeping your system in peak condition.
Inspect the furnace exhaust vent for obstructions.
Our snow and ice-filled winters can cause a blockage in your furnace exhaust vent. Check the area where your furnace vents outside and make sure it’s free of any blockages that could result in unsafe operation.
Check the thermostat and replace the batteries if needed.
An air thermometer is a handy device to have to make sure your thermostat is accurate. Take a reading of the ambient air temperature and compare it to the temperature on the thermostat. If there’s a discrepancy, it’s a sign that your thermostat may need to be recalibrated. It’s a good idea to test the batteries as well.
Clean the area around the furnace.
Have boxes of holiday decorations and ornaments accumulated around the area where your furnace is located? Now’s a good time to check if you or any family members have inadvertently placed boxes, totes, or equipment in the vicinity of your furnace. It needs a 3-foot perimeter that’s free and clear of clutter.
Test the carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
If you have a gas furnace, testing your CO detectors regularly is vital. Test your CO detectors and smoke alarms to make sure they’re working properly.
Check the furnace’s burner flame.
If you have a gas furnace, checking the burner flame periodically is advisable. The flame color should be a steady, bright blue color. If it’s wavering, or if it’s yellow, orange, or red, this means the burner isn’t getting enough oxygen and should be checked by one of our technicians.
Schedule a professional inspection and maintenance service.
If you skipped maintenance in the fall and have noticed your furnace isn’t working that great, it’s not too late to schedule maintenance. Join our Residential Savings Programs (RSP) at Ambient Air Solutions to make maintaining your valuable HVAC equipment simple. As you plan your maintenance, make sure to follow this furnace checklist for the end of the heating season to keep your equipment in great shape. We take care of the details for you.
Your furnace needs regular inspections and tune-ups to keep it running safely, energy efficiently, and effectively, for as many years as possible. These routine visits are also necessary to keep the equipment warranty valid.
Contact Ambient Air Solutions today for professional furnace services in Bozeman, MT. Simplifying Heating & Cooling!