Tips for Preventing Furnace Breakdowns
When winter rolls around, keeping that furnace going is top priority as the outdoor temperature falls. Here are some tips for making sure you’re not faced with a furnace breakdown this winter:
Clean or replace filters
Dirty filters will cause your fan to work harder to push air throughout your house. Replacing filters regularly will help prevent a fan from overworking and breaking down.
Blower motors
Dirty blowers also have to work harder to push the same airflow. Motors can burn out if not maintained. Start with a visual inspection to make sure there’s no sign of rust or debris. Check the fan belt to make sure it’s not too loose. If the blower makes noise when it’s on, call a professional to do a more thorough inspection.
Burners
Clean your burners to make sure they work at maximum efficiency. Observe the flame color, which should be blue. A yellow flame indicates poor combustion producing toxic gases like carbon monoxide. Verify that all burners are working and have faulty burners replaced.
Heat Exchangers
When a furnace burns gas, the heat is transferred to the air blowing throughout your house using a heat exchanger. Over time, this component can corrode, placing you at risk for flue gases entering your home. Do a visual inspection for signs of corrosion and if you see evidence of holes or cracks, call in a professional to replace it immediately.
Controls
Make sure your furnace comes on and responds when you turn your thermostat up or down. It should come on when you increase the set point above the room temperature and should turn off when the temperature reaches the desired set point. A furnace that fails to come on and off when needed can also have a faulty onboard control system. Have a technician look at both your thermostat and the furnace itself.
When to upgrade
There will come a time when maintenance and repair won’t be enough to keep your furnace going for the entire winter season. Consider upgrading if gas usage climbing despite milder weather or efforts to use less heat or if you find yourself spending more and more time and money on repair.
Give us a call at (801) 224-8899 to keep your furnace in shape so you don’t have to face a freezing night this winter! Utah’s Most Wanted Techs at Western Heating & Air Conditioning are ready to help. Visit us online at TimeForComfort.com to learn more.
