Your heater needs routine maintenance to keep it running efficiently. Luckily, there are many things you can do right at home to get your heater ready for the winter season. If you’re looking to save yourself a few repair visits, Surgi’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing would love to share four routine maintenance projects you can do with the tools you have at home.
Inspecting Burner Flames
Your burner flames are the heart of your furnace. They will let you know if your furnace is dirty or if it’s not functioning as it should. Turn on your heater and turn up your thermostat to activate the burners in your system. You should see blue flames in your system. If they are yellow, this means your burners are dirty.
This is a great way to know if your burners need adjustments. Call in a professional HVAC specialist to help you adjust and clean those burners.
Cleaning The Blower
Cleaning your furnace’s blower will lower the dust build-up in your system. First, remove the blower from the system by loosening any screws and sockets attaching it to your system. Gently lift out the blower. You can clean the blades with a small brush and a vacuum. You will want to make sure there is no added stress to the wiring or counterweights of the fan blades.
Remove all the dirt and dust from the blower, and reattach it to the system. It’s important to clean the blower thoroughly so it doesn’t get thrown off its balance as it spins. If you need any help cleaning the blower, contact a heater technician.
Changing The Furnace Filter
You should be changing your furnace filter regularly to prevent dust from building up in your ventilation system. Check your heating unit manual to make sure you know what kind of furnace filter your home uses. Once you’ve picked out the right filter, all you need to do is replace the old filter with the new one. Make sure the arrows on the filter point toward the blower motor, and be sure to toss out your old filter when you’re done. You can also mark the date on your new filter with a pen so you know exactly when you should change out your filter next time.
Cleaning The Pilot Light And Furnace Indicators
Your furnace’s pilot light ignites the fire in your gas furnace. Overtime, dust and debris can build up on this element and cause it to stop working. It’s important to clean your pilot light so it doesn’t cause any false readings on your flame sensor. Carefully blow away any dust that is built up to get the pilot light working as it should.
You can use a drinking straw to blow directly at the pilot light to remove dust and dirt. It’s important that you don’t touch the pilot light while trying to clean it. Also, avoid removing these parts as they are fragile and can break easily. If you need help cleaning your furnace, call your local heating service team at Surgi’s.
When Should I Call For a Heating Professional?
If you’re in need of a seasonal furnace tune-up or your heater isn’t working as it should contact a heating professional. Some things that require a professional checkup include:
- Short cycling
- Irregular flame
- Odd or strange noises
- Soot deposits
While you can do many things at home, you can always count on a specialist to look at your unit if anything goes wrong.
Call Your Local New Orleans Heating Specialists
Our team at Surgi’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can help you with any heating services that you may need. Whether you need routine maintenance or AC repairs, we provide excellent New Orleans heater maintenance that will keep your home comfortable and clean. Contact us today for a consultation!
