Furnace Maintenance Checklist: Ten Tips

Do you want to extend your furnace's longevity? Gladiator Services can assist you with comprehensive maintenance when you call 201-419-6090.

Your furnace must stay in excellent condition to keep up with New Jersey's cold weather. A comprehensive furnace maintenance checklist ensures your unit can easily handle your comfort demands. Additionally, furnace maintenance offers many other benefits, such as energy efficiency and better air quality. 

When you're looking for meticulous furnace maintenance in Hillsdale, NJ, professionals like the Gladiator Services team can help. We offer tips on what furnace maintenance tasks you should include in your routine check.

1. Replace Air Filters

One of the most straightforward steps on your furnace maintenance checklist is to replace the air filters. Air filters collect dust, pet hair, and other airborne debris before it reaches the heating system's interior. They require regular replacement to prevent the system from overheating or spreading contaminants throughout your rooms.

Some air filters are washable. Whether you have a disposable air filter or a reusable one, it's necessary to replace them twice a year or more, depending on your HVAC system usage.

2. Clean the Furnace's Exterior

While dirty interior parts can significantly harm your furnace's efficiency and longevity, you shouldn't neglect its exterior. When performing regular maintenance, an annual exterior cleaning can dramatically boost performance and help you save on energy costs. 

Vacuum, sweep, and dust around the unit to remove debris and dust from electrical connections and other areas of the unit. It's essential to clean the exterior gently to remove debris without disconnecting gas or electric connections. If you do accidentally disconnect anything, call an HVAC company for assistance.

3. Check the Thermostat

A miscalibrated thermostat may read the wall temperature instead of the air temperature. A recalibration can help you save immensely on utility costs as the thermostat will finally detect the correct indoor temperature and warm your space more effectively. Symptoms of thermostat miscalibration include:

• Short cycling
• Delays in operation
• Increasing energy costs in addition to uneven heating

Hang a wall thermometer next to your furnace thermostat. If the thermometer reads the same temperature as the thermostat within 15 minutes, it doesn't require calibrating.

4. Look For Loose Electrical Connections

While an HVAC professional should handle loose connections on your furnace, you can regularly check for loose electrical wires and other disconnected cables to prevent further damage. Lines in poor condition may have rust and physical damage, resulting in operational issues.

As soon as you notice these symptoms, you should contact a local HVAC company to repair the damage and reattach disconnected wires. Disconnected fuel lines are a serious issue that needs an immediate resolution to avoid fires and other hazards, while loose electrical wiring poses a severe shock risk.

5. Inspect the Heat Exchanger

Another vital step on the furnace maintenance checklist is to inspect the heat exchanger. Despite its thin construction, the heat exchanger's condition determines whether carbon monoxide vents outdoors or enters your home. Routinely checking the heat exchanger helps you discover or prevent gas leaks.

You could still have a minor leak if you see no signs of wear and tear on your furnace's heat exchanger. Professional HVAC technicians have the skills and tools to diagnose even the smallest gas leaks. Installing carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home can also warn you of a faulty heat exchanger.

6. Clean the Ignition System

The pilot light is a component in your furnace that lights the gas when your furnace activates. If you still have an old gas furnace, traditional pilot lights require unique maintenance. An HVAC company can advise you on the right way to clean yours.

Modern furnaces trade pilot lights for advanced, automatic ignition systems. To successfully clean these, you'll need to perform a general inspection to ensure their operation is regular and wipe down the flame sensor. Depending on your ignition system type, additional specific cleaning requirements may exist.

7. Ensure All Safety Mechanisms Work Properly

Safety mechanisms and features are instrumental in protecting you and ensuring your household remains safe during HVAC maintenance. Between features that automatically turn off the unit when it can't ignite or safety controls that activate to prevent overheating, many ensure the unit maintains efficiency while keeping you safe. Checking these features is a vital step on your furnace maintenance checklist.

8. Inspect the Flue Pipe and Gas Line

Your gas furnace has a flue pipe that vents the gases your furnace produces during combustion. Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other gases leave your home via this metal exhaust pipe. Plastic venting pipes are also standard in advanced models.

Different types of flue pipes require different cleaning methods, so identify which you have before cleaning.

Gas leaks are another significant concern. Inspecting the flue pipe and gas line ensures your furnace has no structural issues and that all combustion-related components work properly.

9. Maintain Air Vents

Air vents are another part of the HVAC system that homeowners may frequently neglect when completing their furnace maintenance checklist. Closing furnace vents is a common practice that prevents heat from spreading throughout your home during warm weather. Don't leave them closed year-round, though.

Open your air vents before cold temperatures arrive and ensure they're free of dust, pet hair, and other debris. Keeping air vents open during the winter will keep your home warmer for longer, heat more evenly, and prevent frozen or burst pipes. Clean air vents also produce better-smelling air.

10. Get Regular Professional Furnace Maintenance

At the end of the day, regular furnace maintenance significantly outweighs DIY furnace maintenance projects. Professionals have the tools and training to provide you with accurate diagnoses. They also follow a comprehensive, streamlined furnace maintenance checklist, and many customize maintenance to your unit's specific needs. 

HVAC technicians can also answer your questions and provide you with helpful information regarding furnace maintenance and maintaining different types of HVAC systems. Look no further than Gladiator Services in Hillsdale, NJ, for routine, high-quality furnace maintenance when it's time to prepare your heating and cooling system for the winter. Contact Gladiator Services today at 201-419-6090 and schedule an appointment for service.