Four Early-Winter Maintenance Steps For Older Heating Systems

Older furnaces need a little extra attention before you start using them constantly during winter, and there are several maintenance steps you can take to make sure it's in good working order. Before winter hits, basic inspection and component cleaning and replacement steps, with the help of a professional, will keep your heater running when you need it most.

Replace Air Filter

One of the easiest things to do is replace your air filter before you turn on your furnace for too long. Dirty air filters constrict the flow of air through your heating system, which in turn can cause your furnace to shut off early if there's too much strain. On top of keeping your ducts clearer and putting less stress on your system, it can also improve the air quality in your home when you start running your furnace all winter.

Check Air Ducts

Checking your air ducts can help you discover and take care of a few different problems. You may find gaps and holes in the ducts that need to be patched up, which can both improve energy efficiency and keep pests out of your ducts. You may also find evidence that your ducts should be cleaned; mold and pest waste can cause health issues if left in your ducts while air is moving through them.

Sometimes you may detect a musty odor when you first turn on your furnace. This is often normal and comes from burning dust. If this smell doesn't go away, however, this can also be a sign that there's something in your ducts that needs to be cleaned or holes that need to be patched.

Have it Cleaned

Some components, especially in an older system, will benefit from being cleaned before you start regularly using your furnace. Two examples are the blower and the motor. While it's fine if dust gets on the outside of your furnace, too much dust and debris in these parts can cause them to wear down more quickly. Another example is the flame sensor, which is responsible for supplying gas to the furnace as it runs. If the flame sensor is dirty, it may not be able to detect when the flame is on, which means it can shut down your furnace early as a safety precaution. A specialist can inspect and clean these parts for you to ensure they keep working throughout the winter.

Perform a Test Run

A test run can help you discover potentially serious problems early on. Set your furnace to run and then check to make sure everything is working fine. Problems to look out for include foul odors, grinding, shrieking, or banging sounds, or your furnace shutting off before it's supposed to. If you notice something that appears serious, such as a constant loud noise, turn off your furnace immediately, as prolonged use can make the problem worse. Contact a local company like Paris Heating and Cooling.

Share