Are you wondering what maintenance you should do on your home heating? There are some things that homeowners can do to make sure their heating system is working correctly that do not take much time, but that can make a lot of difference.
In some cases, one should call for professional help when problems develop that cannot be resolved quickly. A call to the HVAC services in Spokane can fix everything.
Meanwhile, here are the best home heating maintenance tips you should know.
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1. Change the filters
It seems obvious. But it is easy to forget about the filters when one is busy working and taking care of the family. Yet, filters are essential in removing dust and other particles from the air before entering a home.
They are essential in improving hair quality inside the house. When they do not work correctly, you can consume more energy to get the system to work because less air will pass through them.
Clean filters let air pass through and help the heating system be more efficient. To keep the efficiency high, it is recommended to change the filters every 90 days. However, if you have pets or live in a dusty area, you could consider changing your filters every 60 days.
It is also recommended that people who have more than one pet or have health problems such as allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions change their filters even more often, for example, every 30-45 days.
2. Cleaning
Cleaning is a simple action that can be done to preserve and help the heating system work properly. It is essential to keep the surfaces around the HVAC system clean and free of debris and dust.
The dirt, clutter, and debris can end up in the vent system and reduce air circulation, detrimental to the system’s efficiency. In addition, if clutter gets into the vent system, it can create a fire and problems when repairs are required.
The outside unit should be cleaned as well. Leaves can fall on it or near it; dirt, grass, and other things can accumulate around the unit. All particles around and on the unit should be removed routinely.
The ducts can collect dust and dirt too. You should inspect it and try to get the duct professionally cleaned if necessary, although you can remove the vent and clean out the duct yourself in most cases.
3. Do regular inspections to prevent potential problems
When changing the filters, you could also inspect the entire unit to see that everything is fine and there is no sign of any potential problem. For example, you could check the following:
- If the thermostat batteries are working
- If the condensate system is draining properly
- If the filter access is secured and closed properly
- If the flue system is intact
- If there is mold growing
It would be best to verify that your thermostat is working correctly during this inspection. Once you have established that the batteries are charged, you should verify that the reading coincides with the house temperature.
4. Inspect the pilot light
Some of the older furnaces have a continuously lit flame, the pilot light. The thermostat will signal the furnace to fire up again when the temperature goes below a certain level.
This is why the pilot light is necessary since it is there to flame the burners. If in your inspection you see that there is no light, you should try to re-lighting it up following the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
If the light keeps going out, it can signify a problem with the gas valve. The gas valve prevents the gas tube from releasing gas when the flame is not there. So if the flame keeps going off, it is the moment to call professionals to resolve the issue.
In addition, the pilot light shows how the furnace operates. In fact, the light should always be blue. If you see it yellow or other colors, it indicates an excess of carbon monoxide which should be resolved.
5. Listen up to check for unusual noises
If you hear unusual noises coming from the furnace, it can signify a severe problem. If that is the case, you should call a professional right away to prevent the problem from becoming even more severe.
Most people wait to take action if they hear an unusual sound. However, the problem can worsen with time, and you may spend way more money.
6. Tune-up the heat pump
Tuning up the heat pump is necessary to ensure that the water is not coming out too hot or too cold. In addition, a tune-up prevents the pump from having to work harder than necessary. But, unfortunately, the tune-up cannot be done by you.
Tune-ups are necessary to avoid excessive wear of the heat pump and that it becomes inefficient, while at the same time it prevents the heat pump from developing more significant issues. You have to call a professional to get that done. In general, the heat pump tune-up should be done once or twice a year.
7. Annual Maintenance
You cannot do everything by yourself. A professional should come once a year to inspect the entire system, including all the technical parts you can’t manage by yourself. In addition, untrained eyes are not capable of spotting a potential problem.
Qualified technicians will come out will perform a test and make sure everything is perfect. They will inspect connection, wiring, individual components, and if they find something malfunctioning, they will replace or repair it.
Conclusion
Simple actions such as cleaning and routine checks up can help maintain a well-functioning heating system. In addition, most issues can be resolved with simple measures, such as changing batteries on a thermostat or replacing the filters. However, not everything can be done without the help of a professional.
