Basic Furnace Maintenance
Basic Furnace Maintenance
According to the DOE, regular maintenance is the key to an efficient heating system. Dirty filters, clogged burner ports and improper settings can drastically reduce furnace efficiency.
They recommend a yearly inspection by a qualified service technician and replacing or cleaning filters on a monthly basis. A permanent air screen or electronic air filter should be cleaned according to manufacturer's recommendations. Properly maintaining your heating system-- whether it's a conventional system or a high-efficiency one-is the best way to ensure years of problem-free, economical, comfortable heating.
Most heating systems operate reliably for a long time if they are well-maintained. Before you call a furnace technician for a repair or roll up your sleeves to do the work yourself, call your utility or check their website--in many areas, the utility company will send a technician to your home to check minor furnace problems for free.
If you smell gas in your home or near your furnace, particularly if the odor is strong, immediately evacuate the house, leave the door open, and call your gas utility or the fire department from your neighbor's house or a cell phone. (Don't use the phone in the house or turn light switches off or on.)
Sometimes a furnace may not seem to be generating any heat. In this situation, check the master switch and circuit breaker or fuse. The electrical system may have overloaded. If you don't find a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse, your thermostat may be faulty.
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