It’s finally summer-time and, if you’re like most Canadians, you mark the transition into warmer weather by the last day you had to turn your furnace on.
But just because your furnace gets a break before winter hits again doesn’t mean you should ignore the need to keep it maintained.
In fact, summer is a great time to inspect and maintain your unit.
The last thing you want is to fire up your furnace come fall only to find out it doesn’t work!
Here is a maintenance checklist you can use this summer to make sure your furnace is in tip-top shape:
Change Your Filter
Filters are a key component of your furnace system – not only do they ensure good air quality, but they contribute to the efficiency of the system as well.
The dirtier the filter, the harder your furnace has to work to distribute heat.
You’ll want to make sure you change your filter before the winter months hit in order to keep your unit properly maintained.
Check the Wiring
Over time, your furnace’s wiring can degrade and cause potential electrical issues in your home.
In order to determine if there is an issue with your furnace’s wiring, do a visual inspection and pay attention to the following:
- Dimming or flickering lights
- Warm or discolored wall plates
- Crackling or buzzing sounds from receptacles
- Burning odor around electrical equipment
- Mild shock/tingle from appliances, receptacles or switches
If you encounter any of these issues, do not attempt to fix them yourself. Instead, contact an expert HVAC technician to have a look at the problem.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
If you don’t have a smart or programmable thermostat, this is a great time to upgrade your technology!
Programmable thermostats are designed to maintain a comfortable temperature by regulating how often your furnace produces heat. This conserves energy – which will save you money.
There are even Wi-Fi capable thermostats that allow you to control your heat remotely. This means that, instead of leaving the heat on during the day, you can turn the heat on before heading home from work!
Clean Around Your Indoor Unit
Your furnace may be tucked away in the dark recesses of your basement or crawlspace, but “out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t work for the dust that accumulates around it.
If dust gets sucked into your furnace, it can impede airflow and lower the effectiveness of your furnace. It can even pose a fire hazard.
Make sure you regularly sweep and dust around your furnace system – especially before you turn it on in the wintertime.
Inspect Your HVAC Unit
If your furnace system involves an exterior unit outside your home, it’s important to make sure the area is free of any debris.
The rule of thumb here is to keep all plants, leaves, garbage and other items at least two feet away from the unit.
These objects can cover or hinder the fans, causing the unit to work harder than it needs to. This will lead to issues with efficiency – costing you more money and wearing down your unit more quickly.
Have Your Furnace Inspected
As part of proper furnace maintenance, you should have your unit inspected by a professional HVAC technician at least once a year.
Especially if your unit acts as an air conditioner in the summer – this means it’s running all year round!
Over time, many parts of your furnace can become worn and dirty. Having a licensed HVAC tech take a look will ensure any potential issues are identified and remedied immediately.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact our expert technicians at Peak Hydronics for more information about having your furnace unit thoroughly inspected!