At Jennings Heating, we know how easy it can be to forget that a furnace or heater is essential to your home. After all, it sits quietly in the corner and keeps you warm without much effort. However, if you don’t keep up with regular maintenance, that efficiency could disappear more quickly than you realize—and then where would you be on a cold winter night? That’s why it’s essential to know about some of the most common issues people have with their furnaces and heaters, as well as how to keep them running for many years to come:
Change the air filter. Most filtered furnaces require this service about once every three months.
A dirty air filter can cause an inefficient furnace, which wastes money and energy. Most reusable filters are easy to remove and clean with a vacuum cleaner or compressed air. Or, if it is a disposable filter, you can throw it away and replace it with a new one. If you have any doubt about whether your filter needs to be replaced or if you need help installing it, contact us at Jennings Heating. We can do the job for you safely and efficiently.
Check the vents and registers. Many people never think to check their furnace vents, but it is a common problem.
- Check for blockages. If a furnace vent is obstructed, it will be unable to do its job. It could mean your furnace isn’t running at total capacity, causing premature wear on the system and increasing energy bills.
- Check for rust or corrosion. Rust and corrosion can also cause problems with your vents by reducing airflow, leading to inefficient heating system operation and higher energy bills than you need to pay.
- Check for clogs or debris in registers – many people only check these areas once they have become blocked with dust bunnies!
Inspect your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. This is especially important if you have a gas furnace, but even electric furnaces should have some fire alarm installed in the home.
If you have a gas furnace, it’s essential to check for carbon monoxide leaks. If your furnace uses natural gas, this means looking at the area near the gas line connected to your home. A leak could be something as simple as a loose fitting or cracked pipe that might not immediately seem dangerous but could lead to severe problems if left unchecked.
If you have an electric furnace, be sure that any fire alarms installed in your home are in working order and have fresh batteries (as recommended by the manufacturer). It’s also essential to test these smoke detectors monthly and change their batteries once a year. You can quickly test carbon monoxide detectors with a digital tester; follow the directions provided by your manufacturer and make sure yours is functioning correctly before replacing its battery next time!
If you have concerns about carbon monoxide, contact us at Jennings Heating. Our professionals can service your furnace and ensure that your unit is not leaking any carbon monoxide into the air and that you and your family are safe. You can see a complete list of our heating services here.
Check for rust or corrosion on the furnace exterior.
If you have a gas furnace, it’s also essential to look for rough edges around the pipes or rusty spots around the valves, which can indicate a dangerous leak. In Akron, OH, and surrounding areas, we at Jennings Heating are the professionals you can trust to inspect your furnace and ensure that there will not be any dangerous leaks entering your home.
Test your thermostat batteries.
You want to check these batteries before your home is cold! Test them once per month and replace them every one to two years to ensure they’re working correctly.
Call in a professional once per year. A professional heating company can inspect your system, clean and test it, and perform any maintenance necessary to help keep your unit efficient and safe year after year.
- It is best to have your furnace inspected, cleaned, and tested by a professional at least once yearly. Take a look at all the work we do with furnaces.
- A professional heating company can inspect your system, clean and operate it, and perform any maintenance necessary to help keep your unit efficient and safe year after year.
Do routine maintenance yourself between yearly tune-ups with a professional
If you want to do routine maintenance yourself, keep these things in mind:
- Do it before the winter season starts.
- Before you start, gather all the necessary tools and supplies for the job. These include pliers, screwdrivers, safety goggles, and a drop cloth for catching any debris that falls out of the unit during dismantling. You’ll also need a cleaning brush to sweep away dust from inside the furnace or heater’s air filter box (if there is one).
- Keep an eye out for signs of trouble while working—things like rattles and noises could be signs that something isn’t working correctly. If something doesn’t look correct or feel right while inspecting your system during a self-checkup (done annually or biannually), contact a professional immediately—it may save you money down the road!
Conclusion
We hope you found this blog post informative and helpful. If you have any questions about your furnace or heater, feel free to reach out and ask us! We service the Akron, Kent, Hudson, and North Canton areas in Ohio, and our experts are always happy to help.
