Furnace Care Tips For Homeowners
Your home's furnace is the most important aspect of any forced-air heating system. The heat for your entire house is generated in the furnace before being carried through vents or ducts to the rest of the home. A properly maintained furnace is less likely to encounter serious problems. It is more efficient, which can save you money on heating costs. As a homeowner, it's your responsibility to make sure your furnace is kept tuned up, but a furnace maintenance contractor can help. Here are some tips that will help you ensure your furnace is always ready for use:
1. Keep kids from playing with the heating system.
Heating systems are made up of various components working together to supply heat to your home. Children can accidentally damage one of these components by playing with the heating system; they may also sustain burns if they touch the furnace while it's operational. Most people's furnaces are located in the basement. Keeping kids out of the basement can prevent them from messing with the furnace. You should also make sure they don't play with the thermostat or vents since a broken thermostat or clogged vents can cause costly problems.
2. Hire a furnace maintenance contractor.
While you can take care of some aspects of furnace maintenance yourself, such as surface cleaning, there's no substitute for having a professional perform maintenance work. During routine maintenance, your contractor will thoroughly inspect all the parts of your furnace to make sure nothing is in a state of disrepair. They will change your filter if it's dirty and disassemble the parts of your furnace that need to be manually cleaned. They can oil any moving parts as necessary, to prevent mechanical damage. Make sure you have your furnace maintained at least once a year.
3. Get your furnace ready for spring.
After winter ends, most people don't use their furnace again for a full year. While your furnace is sitting dormant, you want to ensure it remains in good condition for the following year. It's a good idea to schedule your annual maintenance session directly after winter ends. This will clean out any soot or residue that has accumulated inside during routine operation. It will also prevent foreign substances from corroding the interior of your furnace while it sits unused. You may want to cover your furnace when it's not in use since this will keep dust from getting into it.
For more information, contact a company like J C Heating & Cooling today.