The Ultimate Checklist For Diagnosing Your Home Furnace
Your furnace is the heart of your home heating system. It’s important to keep it running in tip-top shape, and not only for the sake of your wallet. If you’re suffering from an inefficient or broken-down furnace, then you could be putting yourself at risk. Furnace maintenance is also a fire hazard that can cost you thousands in damage repair fees if you wait too long to fix it. Find out how to identify common problems with furnaces by reading this article.
All About Preventative Furnace Maintenance
It’s important to have regularly scheduled checks performed by a qualified technician. You need an expert eye to help identify small problems before they become serious issues with your furnace. A yearly visit from your local contractor is like having insurance against future repair costs as he will be able to spot minor annoyances such as dirty filters or faulty thermostats well in advance of them becoming major headaches, saving both money and time down the road when these problems do arise.
Having an emergency repair is difficult enough, but the added stress of wondering when your next payment will be, or how you’ll afford to pay for it can add even more unnecessary strain onto a situation that’s already unpleasant. With regular visits from your contractor, there’s no question about whether they will cover any repairs-you know they will and in most cases offer free service calls as well.
Diagnosing Your Home Furnace
A furnace is a significant investment. When you buy a home, the first thing to consider is how much heat it can provide and for how many years. A furnace can be an expensive purchase so you should know all about what affects its lifespan and performance before buying one. If you already own a furnace, knowing these things will help diagnose any problems it may have. Here is the checklist:
- Check Furnace Filter
The first thing you want to check is your air filter. Over time, furnace filters get dirty with soot and ash from burning wood or other fuels in the heating process which can quickly clog it up if not cleaned regularly. It may also become a fire hazard because dirt buildup could cause excessive dust further preventing airflow through the system, resulting into poor quality of indoor living space alongside higher energy costs due to inefficient operation.
- Check The Thermostat
After checking to make sure your furnace filter and thermostat are in good shape, check the temperature settings on both. Make sure it is set to heat and try setting the temperature at least 5 degrees higher than the current room temperature. Make sure there aren’t any false readings coming from sunlight reflecting off windows next door as well that would confuse matters even more.
- Check Furnace Switch And Electrical Panel
When checking your furnace switch or electrical panel, make sure to keep the power off until you are done testing. If there is any electricity flowing through it while you check for voltage loss on your thermostat wires, then that can be a big problem since you will not know if this was due to an internal issue with the equipment or because of some other exterior factor that needs to be addressed. If at all possible, use a voltmeter instead of just simply switching the breaker back on and taking measurements again.
- Check Furnace Flame
Your furnace uses a pilot light which is very sensitive to any changes in airflow. If you’re getting faulty readings on your thermostat, the first thing you need to check is whether or not there are obstructions around the flame. Check for this by removing grates and panels from the front of the unit while it’s operating. The flames should be blue with yellow tips, if they are dirty looking due to soot buildup then clean thoroughly before examining them further.
- Pilot Light And Gas Valve
If you notice that your furnace is out, make sure to relight the pilot before turning on any gas. This will help prevent a spark from happening and start-up an accidental fire in addition to all of those other dangers associated with using open flame appliances like furnaces without pilots lit. Be extra careful when doing so as well, don’t forget about shutting off 10-15 minutes beforehand or there may still be some gas left for leaks.
- Front Panel Should Be Properly Secured
The purpose of the front panel is to hide the furnace’s inner components. It may seem minor, but when you notice that this part has been removed or is no longer in place, it could indicate serious problems with your furnace. The most likely culprit behind a loose panel would be either corrosion on screws or corroded wire connections.
- Ensure That All Vents And Registers Are Clear And Free Of Obstructions
By removing the cover from your furnace and looking around you should be able to see any obstructions that may have become lodged in a vent or register. Sometimes it is extremely difficult to remove these items without damaging them, but if they are large enough it can also cause problems by blocking airflow. If there is an obstruction then block all vents off except for one which will help determine where the issue lies as this could lead to further investigation into possible reasons why the unit has started malfunctioning.
One of the most important things you can do to protect your home and family is to ensure that your furnace isn’t an issue. This checklist will help diagnose any potential problems with your furnace, so it doesn’t cause further damage. If you have any questions or need more information about this list, don’t hesitate to call us today.
Do You Need a Home Furnace Installer You Can Trust?
Superior Mechanical Services, Inc. began in 1948 as a family-owned business with a vision to provide value-minded service with a down-to-earth approach to customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. As the premier Commercial and Residential HVAC Service provider for Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton, Superior Mechanical can do it all, from heating and air conditioning services to boiler services, to plumbing services. Our technicians are certified professionals who will ensure every part of your project is done right using a careful checklist to guide and test each step. At the end of your appointment, we’ll show you how to get the most out of your new system and give you tips on maintenance so it lasts for years to come. Contact us today for amazing service tomorrow!
