Furnace Maintenance Tips for Winter

Furnace Maintenance Tips for Winter

During winter, the furnace is one of the most important components in your home. A properly maintained system will deliver maximum heat output to your home without wasted energy or the risk of harmful emissions.

To ensure your home furnace operates optimally when it's cold outside, you should employ the following maintenance tips to prepare your furnace for winter.

Start Your Maintenance Early

The coldest nights always seem to present the perfect opportunity for a spontaneous furnace failure. Prevent this with a proactive approach by conducting your furnace maintenance every year while the weather is still warm or mild. Getting the jump on your annual maintenance will give you plenty of lead time if you discover the need for repairs.

Clear the Drainage Tube

Natural gas and propane furnaces produce small amounts of water as they heat. Some of this is blown out as exhaust steam, but the rest drains from the power exhaust manifold to a drip pan that is often shared with the air conditioner. If the drainage tube clogs, water could fill the manifold and the flame sensor would shut the system down

Inspect the Thermostat Wires

Once the power has been shut off and the furnace doors removed, begin your furnace maintenance by giving the furnace wires a slight pull to ensure they are tight and properly fitted.

Dust and Vacuum

Dust, dirt, and debris can cause a furnace to work sub-optimally or, in some cases, not at all. To ward against this, use a soft-tipped paint brush applied gently against the inner components of the furnace. This practice will loosen dust and debris without damaging the furnace's interior. Once the brushing is complete, remove the material with a portable vacuum.

Clean the Flame Sensor

A dirty flame sensor in a gas furnace will stop the unit from working all together, so clean this part at least once a year. Unscrew the sensor from the furnace and then, holding it at the bottom, clean the sensor with an emery cloth. Once the sensor is clean, it can be replaced, and the door reinstalled.

In addition to the filter, you should keep the area around the furnace clean and free of obstructions, especially combustible materials. This allows the furnace to run properly and avoid potential damage to the unit, its performance or your home. Nimmadhi property Management find you a perfect tenant for your home.