3 Summer Maintenance Tips For Your Furnace
Posted on: 21 July 2017
Just because you're not running your furnace during the summer months doesn't mean that you should ignore it. In fact, the summer is the perfect time of year to perform needed maintenance on your furnace. Since it's not in use, performing some maintenance tasks shouldn't cause you any disruption or leave you freezing on a cold day. Take a look at some simple things that you can do this summer to make sure that your furnace is in good working order when you're ready to turn it on next fall or winter.
Change Your Filter
Summer isn't the only time that you'll need to change your filter, but it should definitely be one of the times that you change it. There's no reason not to start off the next cold season with a brand new filter, and why not get rid of the old filter now?
If it's been awhile since you last picked out a new furnace filter, it's important to make sure that you choose the right one. Check the door of your filter cabinet for a notation telling you what size filter you need. You can't just guess when it comes to furnace filters; you need the filter to fit correctly so that it will filter all of your air. If it's too large, it won't stay in place, and if it's too small, air will slip around the sides instead of through the filter.
You also need to choose a filter with the correct MERV rating. MERV is the system that tells you how efficient your filter is. The higher the number, the more particles the filter can catch. A typical MERV rating for a residential furnace filter is 10, but in some households, it's better to go higher. For example, if you or someone else in the household has allergies, asthma, or other breathing problems, you may need a filter with a higher MERV rating to filter out all the allergies. Filters with higher MERV ratings are also better at filtering the air in a home with pets.
Clean the Unit
When you removed the old filter, did you notice a layer of dust over your furnace? It may be time to give the furnace a good cleaning. A dirty furnace won't run as efficiently and will increase your energy costs. What's more, an inefficient furnace is more likely to break.
Cleaning the furnace isn't too difficult. Make sure you shut off the electricity or gas first, just to be safe. Open the access panels and use your vacuum cleaner attachments to clean dust and debris from around the furnace's motor, blower, fan blades, and other mechanical parts. Then use a damp cloth to wipe down all of the surfaces. If you find stubborn dust or dirt stuck in corners or crevices, an old toothbrush is a good tool for removing the dirt from hard-to-reach spaces.
Check the Wiring
While you've got the compartments open, make sure to take a look at the electrical components of your furnace. While you shouldn't try to fix a potential electrical yourself, you should make a note of any loose or frayed wires, or anything else that looks like a potential electrical problem.
If you see anything that even suggests a problem with the wiring, you'll want to schedule a visit with a furnace repair technician. You will definitely want to have electrical problems fixed before you need to rely on the furnace for heat next winter. Luckily, the summer season is a good time to schedule an appointment for furnace repair.
Even if everything looks fine with your furnace, consider scheduling a routine maintenance visit with your furnace service, just in case. They can clean and service it for you so that it's ready to go next winter. Late summer is a great time to schedule a maintenance visit – that way, even if it starts to get cold early in the fall season, your furnace will be in top shape and ready to go. For more information, contact a business such as Moore Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
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