The end of the year is synonymous with the holiday season. But in the northern hemisphere, it is also the time when winter sets in. You may have paid little attention to your furnace the rest of the year, but the freezing weather will quickly make it one of the most important items in your home.

For a furnace to give you excellent service during winter, it should be in good condition. That means regular quality maintenance, so we'd recommend king heating or a similar HVAC firm in your area to give your heating system a good check-up. This can determine whether the furnace will pull through those cold days and nights, or fail when you need it most.

You should hire a furnance installation and maintenance service such as https://www.summersphc.com/kokomo/services/heating/furnace-installation/ to do it for you. Still, it is important that you understand the best practices of furnace maintenance just in case you ever need to do it on your own.

1. Follow a Schedule

The schedule for furnace maintenance is not random. In fact, it follows a fairly strict schedule. The manufacturer will have a recommended maintenance frequency, and you should consider this the minimum and be open to exceeding it, if need be.

A schedule ensures maintenance occurs neither too soon nor too late. The longer you put off maintenance, the more expensive the issues could be to fix when you finally get to them.

2. Visual Inspection

At the start of maintenance, give the furnace a good once-over. Confirm that there is no obvious sign of damage or deterioration. Make sure all pipes and tubes are securely connected. Pay attention if there is any odor of rotten eggs, since this could be indicative of a gas leak.

3. Clean It

A leading cause of furnace breakdown, inefficiency and poor performance is dirt and grime. The dirtier your furnace, the less heat it produces and the greater the chances it will malfunction. A dirty furnace will also increase your energy costs unnecessarily. There is also a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if vents are obstructed or blocked. 

Before you start investigating and resolving furnace problems, make sure the cause is not as obvious as a lack of proper cleaning. At the minimum, you should clean the filter system, motor, blower and vents.

4. Check the Thermostat

Does the thermostat setting consistently match the indoor temperature? If the thermostat is not working accurately, then neither will the furnace. Dirt and incorrect calibration are common causes of poor thermostat performance. 

If uncertain about where to look or how to recalibrate, get a furnace contractor to check it for you. They will also investigate whether there is any other reason why the thermostat is not working as well as it should.

5. Change Your Air Filter

An air filter enhances air quality and prevents the spread of allergens, airborne diseases and contaminants. Over time, the filters become clogged with dirt and dust. With that, their capacity to clean diminishes. That means your furnace has to exert more effort to push air through them. This leads to higher energy use and less reliable temperatures.

Change the furnace’s air filters regularly. Cardboard frame filters should be changed at least monthly and shouldn’t be washed. High quality filters can be replaced between every three and six months. Air filters are affordable and also very easy to change yourself.

6. Keep an Eye on the Control Valve

Many furnaces come with a control valve. It is a safety feature to regulate the intake of gas as needed. If you ever switch on the furnace but it is not producing any heat, the control valve should be one of the first things you check. 

If your furnace has no gas to burn, then it will not produce any heat. If it is faulty, that too may inhibit gas intake. Sometimes, the problem may be as simple as the valve being in the “off” position. 

7. Check Your Tension Belt

Is your furnace suddenly running unusually loudly? You just could be facing a misaligned, frayed or worn tension belt. Inspect it. If it shows signs of significant wear, replace it with a new belt.

8. Lubricate the Motor

Add a few oil drops to the furnace each season or as needed. Nevertheless, be careful not to over lubricate as this would be counterproductive.

9. Shut Down When Not Necessary

Think of your furnace in the same way you would your car. Each time you drive your car, you wear out its parts. So you should only use the furnace when you really need it. There is nothing wrong with shutting it down through the spring and other warmer times of the year.

Extend Your Furnace’s Life

Furnace maintenance is not just about preparing for the winter. Regular maintenance extends your furnace’s life overall. Irregular, delayed or poor maintenance increases the risk of gas leaks. Good maintenance saves you money and ensures the furnace runs safely. Apply these maintenance tips to make sure your furnace gives you long-term value for money.