subject: Regular Maintenance Extends Furnace Life [print this page] Furnaces are one of the prevailing methods of heating a home or business. The units can be powered by electric, natural gas, propane or oil. They give an even distribution to the heat, making the dwelling warm and comfortable.
With a furnace, air is pulled in, warmed and expelled back into the room. The warm air mixes with other air. Eventually, the whole room becomes comfortable to a pre-set adjustable thermostat temperature.
Care Methods
There are some features to a furnace that may prevent full efficiency unless regular maintenance is performed.
Before winter sets in, it is necessary to do cursory checks of a home's furnace to make sure everything works properly. Simple examinations should be performed to avoid bigger problems later.
Dust and dirt are issues for any furnace. They clog the system and make it work harder. This should be removed by either the homeowner or a heating and air conditioning professional that is comfortable with furnaces.
Wear a mask before attempting to clean a dirty blower. Put protection on the floor and make sure the unit is turned off before removing any panels or approaching with tools of any sort.
Replacing your Filter
All furnaces have an air filtration system, whether it is disposable or permanent. Disposable filters are generally made of plastic fibers in a panel which is inserted into a slot on the furnace unit. They should be replaced a minimum of once a year. Check the unit or owner's manual for instructions on cleaning and removal before attempting this task.
Permanent filters are usually made of foam or fiber. Depending on the model, they can be removable cylinders or in rectangular panel form. The filter is often chemically treated to avoid build-up. It can be washed with a hose or in the sink, depending on its size.
Unclogging your Blower
A clogged blower assembly can cause havoc on a furnace, making it inefficient. The furnace must work harder to create the same amount of heat, expending more energy. This also reduces unit life and costs the homeowner extra money in utilities.
While the furnace is open for the filter inspection, check and clean the blower assembly at least once a year. Some models have a squirrel cage wire unit over the blower fan. The cage must be removed in order to access the fan, which may contain dirt and dust build-up.
Test Moving Parts
While the furnace is open, check all visible pulleys and belts to make sure they are not cracked, stretched or dry rotted. A broken belt can cause more damage than stopping the fan. If a broken piece inserts itself into another moving part, this can make other pieces break, clog and cause even bigger malfunctions.
Be sure to return parts and pieces to their original place before closing up the furnace when completed.
