Annual Furnace Maintenance

1/3/2019

Annual furnace maintenance helps ensure that your oil or gas burning furnace is not only keeping your household warm, but that it’s running at maximum efficiency. Keeping your furnace clean and safety tested will also help guarantee a long life with minimum repairs. A Des Moines winter can be fairly brutal, so being proactive about your heating system is not only smart, it’s essential.

It’s important that you understand the basic tasks that an HVAC contractor performs during typical furnace maintenance. Most technicians will provide an overview of their work before they begin, but we have included a checklist to familiarize yourself with the basics.

Typical furnace maintenance should include:

Checking Thermostat Settings
Tightening all Electrical Connections
Lubricating all Moving Parts
Checking/Inspecting the Condensate Drain
Checking System Controls
Checking Gas (or Oil) Connections, Gas Pressure, Burner Combustion, and Heat Exchanger

A furnace maintenance can also include:

Adjustment, cleaning of the pilot light
Checking for dirt or debris in the combustion blower
Inspection/Cleaning of the ignition system
Cleaning/Adjusting the fan switch
Inspection of the Flue Pipe
Recording Performance and Temperature Data
Securing Loose Panels
Inspecting/Adjusting Pulleys and Belts
Lubrication of bearings and Motors
Replacing the Air Filter (if necessary)
Examining/Recording the amperage and voltage of the condenser fan motor, compressor, and blower motor
Checking Vents

DIY Furnace Maintenance

Though it’s best to have a professional technician perform maintenance on your furnace, changing the filter is something that you can do on your own. Replacing a dirty filter will ensure that your furnace runs efficiently and help extend the life of your unit. You will want to make sure that the fuel supply and power are turned off before you begin any work. There are several different kinds of filters on the market. Below are a few guidelines for each:

Disposable fiberglass filters – These are the most inexpensive on the market and should be changed out at least every 30 days during the most active periods.
Disposable pleated filters – These are more durable than fiberglass and can remain effective for about three months.
Permanent filters – During the most active months these should be cleaned every 30 days. Make sure that after you have thoroughly washed them that they have dried completely before installing them again. Mold and mildew can grow on damp filters.
Permanent electronic/electrostatic filters – Clean these filters every couple of months.

How to Choose the Right Furnace Filter

Heating and Cooling Des Moines Since 1997

At Service Legends, we take pride in heating and cooling Des Moines and the surrounding areas. Our HVAC services include furnace and air conditioner installation, repairs, maintenance, and tune-ups. Our lineup of Indoor Air Quality solutions includes whole-home humidifiers, air purifiers, and air filtration systems. We can even help with HVAC financing.

Call 515-657-6634 to contact our Home Comfort Heroes today. We’re standing by 24/7.

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