With cooler weather upon us, it's important to take the time now to ensure your furnace is clean and working properly. This topic really hits home for me as one winter I found myself watching the temperature drop on my home thermostat...which resulted in staying in one single room with two tiny space heaters, and two tiny kiddos bundled to the brim, waiting for the service company to show up. Let's just say I'll never go a year without getting my furnace checked again.
Here's a few tips to consider when checking things out.
Know which system you have. Is it a...
Warm Air Furnace? Warm air furnaces using gas, oil, or electricity power are common. A blower motor forces air through a heat exchanger and filter. Once the circulated air reaches a predetermined temperature (set by the thermostat), the blower shuts off.
Forced Air System? Forced air systems heat uniformly to the 110-degree range. A well-designed forced air system will feature outside ducts, as well as high and low adjustable supply registers and a return register in each home.
Combustion Air System? The combustion air system is one by which oxygen is delivered and gases are removed from the furnace in order to produce heat. It is vital that technicians check everything on these systems, since a furnace of this type can produce carbon monoxide if working improperly.
Regardless of the type of heating system you have, some maintenance procedures are universal. The following pointers may help you service whatever heating system you have, even between service check-ups:
1. Check the draft hood above the opening in the furnace for discoloration, soot, peeling paint, hair, dust or cobwebs.
2. Check the flue, the metal pipe that extends from the furnace to the chimney or vent, for deterioration.
3. Check the chimney for blockage. If your eyes tear or your throat burns when the furnace is on, call for help. Your vents may be blocked. Also, be sure to check for broken or crumbled mortar or bricks.
4. If you see an oil cap when you check your furnace, be sure to keep it oiled. Just lift the cover and add a few drops of oil occasionally. Check the belt, too, which is inexpensive and easy to replace.
Also, make sure your floor is dry. Standing water on the floor near your unit is trouble. Never store things near your heater, especially combustible items. A pilot or gas burner producing a steady yellow flame (indicating improper combustion) may require a contractor for adjustment; occasional orange-yellow or red streaks in a flame are normal. Understand the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache, tightness in the chest, watering and burning eyes, weariness, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, loss of muscular control) and call for help if you experience any.
I generally use a local furnace company to make sure everything is working correctly. If you need a recommendation, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Another piece of advice - if you recently bought a home and happen to find issues with the furnace, check to see if you have a home warranty (you should be aware, but can call your real estate agent to confirm) and if so, find out if furnace maintenance is covered. For buyers looking at homes now, make sure you get a home warranty package as part of the real estate negotiations, or find a realtor who offers inexpensive home warranty packages for their clients, like myself.
And of course, if you want to just move to a new house because you don't like your furnace, well, I'm here to make that happen for you anytime.
In good health,
Daniel Henry