F U R N A C E M A I N T E N A N C E : A C H E C K L I S T T O M A K E S U R E Y O U R F U R N A C E I S R E A D Y F O R O H I O ' S N E X T W I N T E R When the summer heat starts to wane, you know you still have a few months before a semblance of a chill sets in. Your AC unit isn t running as often, and you haven t had to switch your HVAC system over to heat yet. This is the ideal time to prepare your furnace for the changing seasons. Before any Ohio winter, it's imperative you ensure your furnace is safe to run, energy-efficient, and ready for heavy, consistent use. Don't wait until the snow flies. Tackle your furnace maintenance now. Use this check list to see which tune-up and cleaning items you can complete yourself and which tasks an HVAC professional should address.
Homeowners Furnace Maintenance Checklist Change the Furnace Filter Before it s officially your heater s turn to keep your house comfortable, check the filter and replace it if it s dirty. If you have a permanent filter, thoroughly clean it. Why: The filter is a key component to helping your furnace run efficiently (which will save you money) and keeping the air that s circulating throughout your home free of dust and allergens. How-to: As a general rule-of-thumb, it s best to check your air filter every 1 to 3 months. Once you locate the filter on your furnace, check to see if there s a thin layer of dust and dirt on it. If there is, it s time to change the filter. If you wait until your filter is packed with dust and dirt, you run the risk of it getting clogged. In turn, you ll receive higher energy bills and jeopardize your furnace s functionality. If you don t know how often to check your filter, we suggest checking it every month at first. If you feel you can wait another month before replacing, check at two months and assess then. Quick Tip: You ll want to check and potentially replace your filter sooner if you answer yes to any of the following: Do you have pets? Do you have a particularly dusty home? Do you or anyone in your home smoke? Do you keep windows/doors open? Is it currently a peak winter month (December-February)?
Check the Vents The vents in your home should be open, clean and free of furniture obstructing their airflow. Why: Your vents are the only avenue in which the heated air can enter your home. When vents are dirty, closed or concealed by furniture or rugs, the air can t circulate properly to thoroughly heat your home. Worst yet, blocked vents will drive your heating up and can lead to an overheated furnace. How-to: Do a quick spot-check of all your vents by walking around your home, locating all vents, and ensuring each one is open and unhindered by objects. Quick Tip: While air duct cleaning may be involved and time-consuming, it can be worth it. Without question, you can certainly turn to your HVAC professional for help in this area. But, if you want to tackle a few small tasks that can help make your vents a littler cleaner, here s what to do: Clean Supply Registers. With your furnace fan running, lift each register and use the hose on your vacuum to catch any dust that is being pushed out by the fan. Continue to move the vacuum hose deeper into the register's piping as far as it will reach. Use the hose brush to scrape and remove any built-up dust in the register. Clean Return Air Registers. Next, clean out your return air registers. These are usually fastened to the wall with a screw. Once you have removed the vent, brush and sweep as far back into the register cavity as you can. Change the Filter. Yes, this is a duplicate task. We don t suggest changing it again once you have already changed it within a 1-3-month time period. We simply want to stress its importance.
Clean the Chimney A lot can happen during the warmer months that directly affect your furnace and its parts. Use a chimney cleaning kit to further promote the efficiency and safety of your furnace. Why: As a best practice when it comes to furnace maintenance, sweeping your flue and chimney will help remove any built-up deposits, birds or animal nests, and other debris so your furnace can properly vent gas and fumes. How: Since chimney cleaning kits can differ, and the tools you have at home can be varied, we recommend following the kit s instructions. Quick Tip: If you haven t cleaned your chimney in a long time or ever don t panic. Your HVAC technician or a professional chimney sweep will have the right tools to clean your chimney properly. Remove All Dirt and Dust by the Furnace Along with opening vents and cleaning the supply and return registers, it s advantageous to clean around the furnace, too. Why: By cleaning the room your furnace is in, and the area around your furnace, you can further prevent any dust, debris, dirt and allergens from blowing around your home. How: Vacuum and give your entire furnace room a deep clean by attending to vents, the floor, electrical connections, and any items that are on tables or shelves. Quick Tip: Dust lurks everywhere, so in your cleaning efforts, don t neglect the one room where the air heating process begins.
Test the Carbon Monoxide Detector Confirm that your carbon monoxide detector is located near your furnace and is functioning. Why: It s crucial to note that every furnace should have a working carbon monoxide detector installed close-by. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, invisible, and above all deadly gas. A carbon monoxide detector is a life-saving device that will alert you if the gas is present. How: Testing your carbon monoxide detector is quick and simple. Most models have a test button on it. Hold that button for a few seconds and release. Your detector should make a loud noise, telling you it s working. But don t just take our word for it. Since every model is different, and to guarantee you re testing your detector the right way, consult with your device s user s manual. Quick Tip: If you don t have a carbon monoxide detector yet, be sure to get one installed ASAP. They re fairly inexpensive and worth every penny if nothing else, for the peace of mind.
Winterize Your AC Unit We understand that Ohio weather can change on a dime, but when you think you re done running your air conditioner for the year, winterize the outside unit as soon as you can. Why: To keep your AC unit in top working condition for next summer, you need to protect it against cold weather, snow, ice, and rust damage. How: Clear any dirt and debris in or around the unit/vent, such as acorns, leaves, sticks, etc. To winterize the unit, we suggest placing a piece of wood such as plywood on top of the unit to keep snow, ice, water, and debris from getting inside. Quick Tip: To keep the piece of wood securely on top of the unit, place a large rock, or another heavy item, on it to keep it from moving or blowing off during gusty days.
HVAC Professionals Furnace Maintenance Checklist Now let s take a look at the intricacies of your furnace. Because the latter part of furnace maintenance requires deep inspection of every detail and overall functionality, a heating expert can help you complete your annual maintenance by thoroughly examining your furnace from top to bottom and fixing any parts or issues that he or she finds. You ll enter this next winter with absolute confidence that your furnace is ready to meet your home s heating demands. Here s an overview of the maintenance work that your HVAC professional will complete: Test the Thermostat Calibration Since your thermostat determines the efficiency of your furnace system, your HVAC technician will check to see if it is working properly, needs adjusted, or replaced with an upgraded unit altogether. Inspect All Moving Parts Furnaces can be cumbersome, but your HVAC professional can address the following must-do annual maintenance tasks: Test the system s startup cycle Check the belts for signs of wear or cracks Check the burner for proper ignition Test the flame sensor for correct operation Examine the heat exchanger for signs of corrosion, cracks or separations. Deadly carbon monoxide can escape from a damaged heat exchanger. Lubricate all moving parts to reduce friction. Friction makes the motor work harder, which necessitates more electricity.
Inspect Electrical Connections All electrical connections must be tight, and wiring should not show signs of rust and corrosion. Adjust Ventilation Ventilation is key for a furnace to be efficient, as restricted air flow can reduce the unit s efficiency and damage vital system components. Your HVAC professional will: Check the vent system for leaks or blockages Check the air intake grills for blockages Check the furnace s air filter Inspect Furnace Blowers The mechanism that moves the heated air through your ductwork is called the blower. Your HVAC professional will: Check the blower and clean its components by removing the blower wheel to certify it s free of debris and dirt Test for a tight seal on the blower access door Perform an amp-draw test on the blower motor and ensure it meets the results of your furnace s specifications. This can reduce the risk of a furnace fire. Test Safety Shut-Offs Testing the furnace s safety controls will help prevent the furnace from overheating and reduce the risk of a fire. Assess Fuel Line Assessing the fuel line for any leaks will further guarantee that no carbon monoxide is leaking. Furthermore, examining the flue for obstructions will tell your HVAC technician whether toxic fumes can escape. When these toxic fumes cannot escape, your home s air quality will suffer.
G E T P E A C E O F M I N D T H I S W I N T E R B Y P A R T N E R I N G W I T H C E R T I F I E D S E R V I C E S O N Y O U R A N N U A L F U R N A C E M A I N T E N A N C E Prepare for winter warmth and safety now by scheduling your furnace maintenance with Certified Services. We approach our job with great accuracy and effectiveness to ensure the results pay for the investment. When your furnace is well-maintained, it will operate efficiently and can reduce fuel and energy waste to lower your annual heating costs. Let us worry about the maintenance. We offer a preventive maintenance program that cleans and inspects your furnace in September. We then inspect again in March to see how your furnace handled the winter season and confirm that it ll be okay to sit unused until the next winter. With extensive experience in both residential and commercial repairs and all top HVAC brands, makes and models we ll help keep you warm and safe every winter.