Gas Furnace Maintenance Tips
While many problems with a gas furnace need an HVAC expert, there is some general maintenance you can do without professional support. In fact, there are some routine things you should be doing to make sure that your gas furnace continues to work well. These can also help you to identify any problems and call in the experts early. Keep reading for tips from Trane to catch problems and keep your system running.
Quick Inspection Checklist
By simply using your senses, you can identify issues with your gas furnace quickly. Following these steps will help you see anything that needs further attention. Remember to turn off the gas line before you do any inspections!
- Look at the burner’s flames. They should be steady and blue. Yellow or orange flickering may indicate something besides natural gas in burning and a specialist should come evaluate the flame.
- Keep an ear out for any odd sounds or vibrations.
- Check to see if you smell any gas leaks. If you do, do not light any appliance or touch electrical switches or phones. Call your gas supplier immediately.
- If you receive an alert that there was an electrical, fuel, or mechanical failure, immediately turn off the gas supply and then electrical power to the furnace.
Gas Furnace Filter Maintenance
One of the most important things you can do is take care of your gas furnace filter. As the system circulates air, this will filter the air in your home, removing moisture and controlling humidity. This allows dust particles to build up on the filter- when there is too much build-up, it can impact airflow, making your furnace work harder. This leads to the unit using more energy.
The frequency with which you should change your filter varies by household. In a home with no pets, every 90 days is sufficient, but if there is one pet, 60 days is more appropriate. If you have multiple pets or suffer from allergies and asthma, it is recommended to change your filter every 20-45 days.
When you change your filter, make sure that your furnace is turned off and you have the right sized filter ready. Follow the airflow arrows when installing the new filter and ensure it is fit properly before turning the furnace back on.
Troubleshooting Furnace Problems
Some problems with your furnace may have simple fixes. You can give these methods a try before calling in professional help.
- If your furnace won’t turn on, first check that your furnace is set to heat.
- When it is hot upstairs but cold downstairs, explore whether you can create climate zones with your thermostat.
- If you notice your utility bill rising, your system may be overworked. You can lower your temperature setting or look for a more energy-efficient system.
If any of these fixes don’t work, or you notice more serious problems, you will want to call in an HVAC expert. E Dennis is based in Dallas, GA and our skilled technicians will be happy to ensure your furnace is working properly.
