Furnaces don’t come cheap. They are some of the more expensive pieces of equipment in a home. As such, you should take the necessary steps to care for it. Neglecting it will result in the inevitable premature failure of parts as well as skyrocketing monthly heating bills. To avoid these problems, it’s best to give your furnace some tender loving care.
With that in mind, Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning—your preferred heating company in Champlin MN—gives you four tips to extend the lifespan of your furnace.
Work only with a trustworthy heating company.
The quality of installation and maintenance plays a major part in the overall performance and energy efficiency of your furnace. Choosing the right HVAC company may require some research work. But picking the right HVAC professionals to install your system is as important as choosing your furnace. A good technician possesses in-depth knowledge of the product and installs the system according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Making the right choice results in optimum comfort and significant energy savings.
It is vitally important that the company you work with is licensed and certified to conduct its business. A legitimate HVAC company complies with legal requirements, whether it’s federal, state, or local. By determining the contractor’s legitimacy, you can have peace of mind, knowing that they will be there in case of complaints and inquiries after the installation is completed. Speaking of which, you can check a contractor’s history by verifying it with the Better Business Bureau’s website.
Moreover, make sure that the installation team has the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification. This distinction will guarantee the workmanship and customer service skills of the technician are on par with industry standards.
Visually check your furnace.
A quick visual inspection before running the furnace is an essential step in determining its preparedness for the season. If you have a gas furnace, be sure that the venting pipe is securely fastened and angled. Also, other tubes, such as the drainage lines that may also serve your other HVAC systems, should be properly attached. You might also want to take this time to smell around the system’s gas line, which is typically a flexible tube. If you detect a rotten egg smell, then it likely has a gas leak. Contact your preferred furnace expert as soon as possible for help.
Be on top of your filter.
Your furnace’s filter is the part that you can clean or replace without any professional assistance. You can save money on a service call just by simply knowing how to manage your filter.
On the other hand, neglecting to manage your filter can lead to clogging. A clogged filter causes all sorts of issues, including subpar heating and system overheating. To avoid restricting the airflow within your furnace, change your filter at least once per month, especially during peak season. This step is particularly important if you have household pets, people with allergies or respiratory ailments, children, or the elderly.
Furthermore, consider upgrading your filter to one that has a higher minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating needs to be replaced more often because it traps more pollutants. The timely management of your filter will allow your HVAC system to perform its job with ease, giving you greater comfort, improved indoor air quality, and lower energy costs.
Clean the flame sensor.
Did you know that a dirty flame sensor can completely disable your furnace? Therefore, you should clean this part at least once per year. To do this, simply unscrew the sensor from the unit. Then, holding it at the bottom, clean the sensor with an emery cloth. Finally, put the sensor back, and reinstall the door.
Ask Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
Owning a furnace involves the responsibility of taking care of it. While there are steps you can do on your own, there are tasks that require the skills and experience of a qualified professional. That’s where our experts excel. We have teams of highly trained and seasoned heating experts who understand furnaces from the inside out. With us, you are guaranteed your heating system works at optimum condition, prolonging its lifespan. We are your dedicated Anoka HVAC maintenance company.