Tips for Keeping Your Furnace in Top Shape

To ensure your home is prepared for the cold days ahead in Vancouver now is the time to do a little routine maintenance on your furnace.

It doesn’t take much time or effort to keep your furnace in good working order, but it does take some dedication. Most of all, keeping your furnace clean can prevent a host of issues and save money on energy costs.

5 tips to help you get started

Most people in Vancouver don’t need any special training to do routine maintenance on their heating system, but you do need to follow some basic guidelines. Always read and follow the instructions in your furnace’s safety manual before doing any maintenance.

If you believe there is a problem with your furnace, don’t try to fix it yourself. Call an HVAC professional immediately.

1. Follow safety precautions.
   Before you begin any work on your heating system, you should always turn off the gas and power to the furnace.
2. Check your thermostat.
   If the thermostat isn’t working properly, no matter how clean and tidy your furnace is, your furnace won’t function properly either. Try adjusting the temperature up and down and listen for the furnace to turn on and off. If it seems to be malfunctioning or is very old, it may be time to upgrade to a programmable thermostat. It will provide better consistency and energy efficient temperature control.
3. Change or clean the furnace filter.
   Keeping the air filter clean will help your furnace run at peak performance. Once you’ve changed your air filter, it’s a good time to vacuum out the blower assembly, vents, and fan. Otherwise, once you turn the furnace on, all the dust and pet hair that has accumulated in the vents will be blown back into the air.
4. Tidy the space around your furnace.
   You furnace needs room to breathe. Remove anything flammable such as clothes, paints, aerosols, gasoline, boxes and other items from the immediate area around your furnace as well as your water heater.
5. Book your annual furnace cleaning.
   Having your furnace professionally cleaned each year is a worthwhile investment that will prolong the life of your furnace. Furnaces are complex and should be professionally inspected and cleaned each year to ensure no dangerous gasses are leaking into your home and that it will be reliable when you need it most.

Vancouver furnace maintenance

Whether you’re in need of plumbers in Vancouver, furnace repair or just need help with routine maintenance, turn to the highly trained HVAC professionals at Hillcrest Plumbing & Heating Ltd. We’ve been servicing furnaces in the Vancouver area for over 50 years, and we’re always eager to help. Give us a call today!