Want to keep your furnace in top shape? One of the best things you can do is get it cleaned and inspected regularly. Here are a few things you should know about the value of regular gas furnace maintenance for prolonging the life of your furnace – and also keeping your home safe and clean.
A Dirty Gas Furnace Is Less Efficient
Dirt build-up in your gas furnace can cause big problems. It can make your furnace burn more fuel, and make it less effective at heating up your house. Cleaning the filter system, blower and motor on a regular basis can dramatically increase the heating efficiency of your furnace and help you avoid surprise breakdowns and costly repairs.
Have you experienced a costly or inconvenient breakdown of your heating equipment? Invest in annual gas furnace maintenance from Rodman’s to avoid any further surprises.
A Dirty Gas Furnace Can Produce Excessive Deadly Emissions
Since dirty gas furnaces are not running at peak efficiency, they can produce larger amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) than usual. CO is colourless, odourless and toxic. It is normal for every gas furnace to produce some CO, but a clean, efficient furnace produces small amounts that are easily vented out of your home. However, a furnace that is not regularly cleaned can get its burner or vents clogged up with carbon soot and debris. This blockage can cause your heating system to start emitting deadly amounts of CO right back into your home. While CO detectors are important, they are NOT a substitute for regular maintenance.
How Often Should You Get Your Gas Furnace Cleaned?
Recommended cleaning frequency may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and may also depend on how old your gas furnace is. Rodman’s recommends having your furnace cleaned once a year. Depending on the size and type of the filter, it may need to be changed anywhere from monthly to quarterly to help your furnace burn more efficiently and minimize the circulation of dust throughout your home. Our scheduled gas furnace maintenance includes:
- Check thermostat calibration – ensures proper heating cycles and maintains proper room air temperature
- Clean and adjust burner assembly – helps provide safe and efficient operation of your gas furnace
- Clean ignition assembly – helps operate furnace more efficiently
- Examine heat exchanger(s) for damage & corrosion – ensures no carbon monoxide is present and operation of gas furnace is safe
- Monitor flue draft – ensures safe operation
- Test safety controls for safe operation
- Clean/inspect air filters – ensures proper air flow and air quality
- Clean and adjust blower components – eliminates noise and vibration
- Measure for correct air flow – ensures proper air flow
- Tighten/inspect electrical connections – prevents the potential for future breakdowns of gas furnace
- Measure volts and amps – ensures safe operation
- Lubricate all moving parts – ensures longevity of components
- Checked condensate drains – helps reduce mold and algae, prevents damaging water leaks
- Measure temperature difference between supply and return air – maximizes warmth and comfort and ensures proper operation
- Check and adjust gas pressure – helps reduce gas consumption while maximizing heating capacity
- Adjust pilot – helps gas furnace run more smoothly and efficiently
- Monitor heating cycle to prevent future breakdown
