The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends, but they can also be stressful. With so much going on and so many people involved, it’s easy to miss the minor details that might make your life simpler, such as furnace maintenance.
Is your furnace ready for winter? It’s time to check the filter, change the air cleaner, and make sure it’s running efficiently.
But, when it comes to house repairs, nothing beats the joy of a job well done.
A common mistake made by DIYers is skipping these important steps. When you don’t maintain your furnace regularly, it can be a fire hazard and cost you more money on energy bills. And if something does break down, you’ll want to be ready for it.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide on furnace maintenance for DIYers. In it, we’ll walk you through common signs that something in your heating or cooling system is going awry, as well as furnace maintenance DIY tips for how to handle those situations when they arise.
Common Signs That You Need Crazy Maintenance On Your System
Your furnace should always be in the best condition. If you have noticed signs that your furnace needs some maintenance, then it is time to look for “furnace cleaning near me” and find a professional furnace service provider who can help you.
Here are some of the signs that your furnace needs crazy maintenance:
1. Your Furnace Is Making Weird Noises
Furnaces can make all kinds of strange sounds, but if your furnace is sounding more like a snoring elephant than a humming machine, it’s time to get it checked out. If your furnace is making unusual noises that come from a working furnace, then there might be an issue with it.
2. Your Furnace Is Stopping Frequently
If your furnace routinely shuts down without warning or apparent cause, this might be another sign of a problem with the appliance itself. If this happens only once or twice, there’s generally nothing to worry about; but if it becomes a frequent occurrence and there’s no cause for it to happen (such as power fluctuations), you should take action as soon as possible.
3. The Heat Isn’t Working Properly Or At All
One of the most common signs that your furnace needs maintenance is when your home isn’t getting enough heat or none at all! It’s important to keep track of how well your home is heating up during winter since many furnaces have trouble working properly with low temperatures outside (or even inside sometimes). If you notice this, it’s time for furnace maintenance, and contact professionals in Columbia and Mid-Missouri.
4. Your Power Bills Are Increasing
If your power bills are increasing, it might be time for some DIY gas furnace maintenance!
10 Essential DIY Furnace Maintenance Pro Tips
So you’ve identified the telltale signs of a furnace in need of maintenance. You’re probably wondering: “What do I do now?”
Fortunately, you don’t have to be worried. We have your back.
The furnace is the beating heart of your house. It’s what keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. And if you don’t look after it, it might create a lot of issues!
Here are some DIY furnace maintenance tips from Master Tech – a Professional Furnace Services provider in Columbia and Mid-Missouri, that will keep your system running smoothly:
1. Replace the air filter regularly
Your furnace blower is in charge of circulating air throughout your home and needs all the assistance it can get! The best approach to maintaining it healthy is to change the air filter on a regular basis.
When you change your air filter, you are doing more than simply clearing out dust; you are also ensuring that the airflow in your system is as effective as possible.
If you don’t replace your filter on a regular basis, it can reduce the performance of your furnace and raise your energy bills by up to 20%. Furthermore, you should check your filter every two weeks and replace it as needed.
2. Clean the furnace blower
The blower is responsible for distributing heat throughout your home. So if it isn’t clean, your furnace will not be able to distribute heat effectively. It’s also important to clean this part of your system every few months because it can get clogged with dust and other debris over time.
3. Vacuum burners
Vacuum burners are the most common type of gas furnace, and they’re usually found in older homes. The gas valve regulates the amount of gas that enters the burner, which heats up a pilot light to provide a steady flame. If you notice that your furnace isn’t heating properly, it could be because there’s not enough oxygen in your home for the burners to operate correctly.
To fix this problem, vacuum out all of the dust from around your furnace vents. Then use a brush or vacuum to clean off any lint or debris from inside the vents themselves and make sure that nothing is blocking them from functioning properly.
4. Check the drive belt for wear and tear
Drive belts are responsible for turning your blower fan on and off at different speeds, so if yours is getting worn out or damaged, it could cause problems with your heating system’s performance.
Check your belt every year when you change the air filters to ensure it hasn’t become frayed or torn due to excessive wear. If it has been damaged in any way, then replace it immediately because otherwise, you’ll risk having an accident where it snaps while operating at high speeds!
5. Clean the drainage tube
The drain tube is located at the bottom of your furnace. If it’s dirty, it might create water damage and mold, which can be disastrous for your property. Keep it clean by vacuuming or wiping it down with a wet towel once a month.
Furthermore, it is critical to clear out the drainage tube completely at least once a month during the winter and once every two months during the summer.
6. Clean the flame sensor
The flame sensor is another important part of your furnace’s operation—and it’s one that can be easy to forget about! If you don’t clean this sensor regularly, it can become dirty or corroded and prevent your furnace from heating properly.
The easiest approach to clean this sensor is to wipe away any dust or grime on its surface using Q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol—do this at least once a month during the winter, but no more than once every two months during the summer!
7. Lubricate moving parts
Furnaces are designed to withstand use and keep you warm, but they might develop a few problems over time. A common issue is that the furnace becomes noisy and clunky as the moving parts wear out and stop working properly.
To avoid this, make sure you lubricate your furnace’s moving parts once a year. Make sure to thoroughly clean off any excess from the inside of your furnace before turning it back on!
8. Check the thermostat
Another common problem with furnaces is that they don’t turn off when they should, which could cause them to overheat and break down permanently.
To avoid this issue, ensure your thermostat is adjusted appropriately and operating properly. If the thermostat isn’t recognizing the temperature settings, it may need to be replaced—do this before contacting emergency assistance!
9. Inspect the ductwork
If you have not yet checked your ductwork, this is a great time to do so. If there’s any damage or mold growing in there, it could lead to problems with your furnace—or even an explosion! So make sure you inspect those vents before turning on your heaters this year.
10. Test the carbon monoxide detector
This is something we recommend doing every month or two throughout the year (but especially during spring). Carbon monoxide detectors are crucial because they tell you if there are unsafe amounts of CO in your home’s air supply. Don’t wait till spring to inspect yours—do it on a regular basis!
What Benefits Do You Get from Regular Furnace Maintenance?
Regular maintenance for the furnace is crucial to keeping your furnace running efficiently. It’s also one of the best ways to protect your investment in your home.
A clean furnace will run more efficiently, which means it won’t work as hard to make up for dust and debris that can affect its performance. A dirty furnace also increases your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, so regular cleaning is a must.
If you value your family’s comfort and safety, having your furnace serviced or repaired on a regular basis is a no-brainer. Here are some of the benefits you get from regularly maintaining your furnace:
- Save money on energy bills.
- A well-maintained furnace will consume less energy, so you’ll spend less on heating your house.
- Furnace maintenance helps ensure your system is running at peak performance levels and isn’t wasting energy.
- Extend the life of your heating system by reducing wear and tear on internal parts like blower motors and burners.
- Reduce the risk of any potential fire hazards caused by poor combustion or blocked flues due to the buildup of dust & dirt inside them (such as using an open flame indoors!).
- It prevents fires from starting up inside the ducts or behind walls where they can’t be easily seen or detected until it’s too late!
When It May Be Time For Professional Furnace Repair
If your furnace isn’t working the way it should, don’t just keep suffering through the cold. You might be one of the many Columbia residents stuck in a broken-down system and needing professional help.
Call Master Tech professionals today for Furnace Services in Columbia and Mid-Missouri!
At Master Tech, we’ve been helping homeowners get their furnaces up and running again for 20 years now, so we know what it takes to get the job done right.
Our staff is highly trained to provide excellent customer service. We’ll evaluate your furnace and make sure it’s safe for use before recommending a repair or replacement. Additionally, we offer residential and commercial services, including heating and cooling system installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and furnace tune-up.
Whether you need repair or replacement, we can help! Just call us at 573-777-3660 to book your appointment with our Furnace repair experts!