Maintaining your furnace is critical to ensuring it performs smoothly and efficiently throughout winter. A well-maintained furnace keeps you warm and saves you money on your utility bills.

While this is the case, many homeowners are uninformed of how to properly maintain their furnaces. Due to this you will even hear some of them asking what is the first thing they should check when maintaining a furnace.

The truth is that there is no specific area that you should check first, as proper maintenance involves paying attention to different parts of the unit and giving every part the attention it deserves.

To ensure your unit is in good shape, here are areas recommended by furnace service providers that you should pay attention to, including tips and methods to ensure that you have a warm winter:

Clean the furnace

For your furnace to operate effectively and efficiently throughout the winter months, you must keep it clean. In addition to keeping you warm, a well-cleaned furnace lowers your energy costs.

One part you should pay attention to is the blower. The blower is responsible for moving air around your house. Without cleaning dust and debris can build up on the blower over time, decreasing its effectiveness.

You need to turn off your furnace’s electricity and remove the access panel to clean the blower. You can clean the blower’s blades using a soft brush or cloth. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any debris.

Most furnace systems are connected to vents. Warm air is pumped into various rooms via these vents. Keeping these clean can influence the amount of work the furnace must do to heat a home.

Cleaning these vents is usually as simple as removing the vent and vacuuming the duct. Keeping them clean can also influence how much dust and pollen are dispersed throughout the house.

Inspect and replace the filters.

A dirty filter can impede airflow and lower your furnace’s efficiency. If the filter is clogged or unclean, check it and replace it. Depending on usage, changing the filter every one to three months is advised.

You can improve a furnace’s efficiency by replacing its air filters. The furnace uses much more energy and resources when working harder to keep the air flowing through the system.

Changing the filter regularly is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to keep your furnace in good working order. As mentioned, a filthy or clogged filter can limit airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder than necessary. This can result in higher energy costs and a shorter life for your furnace.

To change the filter, turn off your furnace and remove the old filter. Check the filter size and replace it with a new one of the same size. Confirm that the filter is appropriately installed, with the arrows pointing toward the airflow.

Inspect the furnace and fix the faulty parts.

There are various parts of the furnace that you need to inspect and ensure that they are in perfect condition.

One area to pay attention to is the thermostat. Your furnace’s thermostat serves as its control center, so ensuring it’s operating correctly is critical. Verify that the thermostat is correctly reading the temperature in your house and that it is set to the desired setting.

If not, think about changing the thermostat or getting help from an expert.

You also should pay attention to the blower motor. The blower motor circulates warm air throughout your home. Inspect it and ensure that it runs smoothly and makes no strange noises. If you detect any problems, contact a specialist for help.

The heat exchanger is an essential component of your furnace, transferring heat from the combustion chamber to the air in your home. You should inspect the heat exchanger for cracks or other deterioration, which might result in carbon monoxide leakage. If you notice any problems, contact a professional immediately.

The flue pipe is responsible for releasing dangerous gases from your home. Check the flue pipe for evidence of damage or obstruction, such as trash or bird nests. If you detect any problems, contact a specialist for help.

A full pre-winter furnace inspection will guarantee that your furnace runs safely and efficiently during the year’s cold months.

If your furnace features a blower belt, check its tension regularly. A loose belt will force the blower to work harder than needed, resulting in higher energy expenses and premature wear and tear.

Switch off your furnace and remove the access panel to check the belt tension. Press your finger down on the belt. If it deflects more than half an inch, it is too loose, and you should tighten it.

Lubricate the motor

Your furnace’s motor is its central component. Therefore, it’s critical to keep it greased to guarantee proper operation. To determine whether your motor needs lubrication, consult your owner’s handbook.

If the motor needs lubrication, disconnect your furnace’s power and remove the access panel. Find the motor’s oil ports and fill them with a few drops of oil. Avoid over-lubricating the motor, as this may lead to harm.

You can lubricate the different parts by yourself, but let a professional help you for the best outcome.

Work with a professional

Routine furnace maintenance is necessary to guarantee that your heating system functions appropriately all winter long. Nonetheless, there are instances in which contacting an expert is required. Here are a few indicators that you need to call a furnace repair service Port Jefferson professional.

Strange noises from your furnace, including banging, rattling, or shrieking, indicate that something is off. These sounds may result from a malfunctioning ignition system, a loose belt, or a damaged blower motor.

Ignoring these noises can cause more serious issues or perhaps a breakdown. The best action in these situations is to contact an expert to identify and resolve the problem.

A malfunctioning thermostat or a clogged air filter can also cause significant temperature fluctuations or warmer or colder rooms in your house.

On the other hand, uneven heating might be a sign of an issue with the furnace itself, like a broken heat exchanger or a broken blower motor. A specialist will help you pinpoint the issue’s underlying source and offer a fix.