Did you know your heating system is the largest energy expense in your home? On average, it consumes about 45 percent of your total energy bill. And it is the reason you have to maintain your furnace to ensure it runs properly and operates as efficiently as possible.

Winter is knocking on the door in Woodbridge, and the constantly dropping temperature is just a warning sign that this year is going to make you freeze. It’s time to shut off your A/C and turn on the furnace. But wait a moment! Before you flip that switch to turn the furnace on, ask yourself when it was the last time you checked on your furnace. If your furnace is not maintained since the last year, it is not going to give the heat that it should. If you have not yet checked the condition of your furnace, do it now. Here are the steps you need to take to maintain and clean your furnace properly.

Before Getting Started

Depending on the type of furnace, your maintenance procedure varies. Though electric furnaces are often more expensive and expand a great amount of energy, they are fairly dependable and require less maintenance because of their Limit controller. This feature stops the furnace from overheating and works automatically if it needs to be fixed or cleaned, ensuring that no further damage is done to the furnace.

On the other hand, gas furnaces are cost-efficient and clean but they require more regular, routine maintenance (typically twice in a year) to work efficiently for years. Most of these furnaces use natural gas, which produces 1,000 British thermal units (BTUs) of heat per cubic foot burned. So, if you have a gas furnace in addition to maintaining your furnace, you need to ensure the natural gas is being used properly and not leaking.

How to Maintain your furnace:

Step 1: Check the Outside

Check the outside of your furnace. It should be clean and free of dust, dirt, and debris. Make sure there is no clutter or flammable objects such as cardboard boxes stored anywhere near the furnace and the surrounding areas. If you find dust and dirt is around, you should vacuum and sweep them immediately before moving on to the next maintenance steps.

Also, you have to make sure it’s actually running properly. To ensure it, look at the main entrance panel for any tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. There might be a separate power entrance located on a different panel near the main entrance one or fuses mounted in or on the heating unit.

Step 2: Examine the Thermostat

The next thing that you need to check is the condition of the thermostat. Examine if it is working on your furnace before you go switching it on. If your thermostat has any issue, it might not generate as much as it should. Some other reasons for not getting sufficient heat are improper installation or, more commonly, dirt buildup that interferes with its calibration. Also, the thermostat can cause corrosion due to loosened switches on the base and wires near the bimetallic element. Fix them and clean them up to ensure your furnace is properly maintained.

Step 3: The Filter and Fan Belt

Keep the electricity at the circuit breaker panel switch off when it is going to the furnace. You should typically clean the filter out every three months.

The filter located near or at the blower part of the furnace is held in with a clip. Remove it from its location and clean it properly with a vacuum cleaner. Also, you can use warm soap and water for efficient cleaning. Dry the filter completely before putting it in its location. Clean the surrounding area near the filter as well, which will help in maintaining the air quality in your home while it’s being heated up.

Check the felt belt thoroughly, and also clean out the filter. Look at it closely to see if there are any signs of wear and tear or cracks forming. If you find anything unusual, replace it as soon as possible.

Step 4: The Pilot Light

If you have an electrical furnace, you can skip this step. In case you have a gas furnace, you have to check the gas supply. Make sure it is switched on and that the pilot light is lit or lights up. If you find the light goes out, you will need to relight it. You can follow the below steps to relight it if the light goes down –

• Look for pilot light assembly on your furnace. You can find them with a gas valve that comes with on, off, and pilot settings.
• Once you get it, switch off the valve and wait for three minutes, and then switch the valve to the pilot setting.
• Light it with a match and then hold it up to the pilot opening while also pushing the reset button on the control panel. Press it until the pilot flame turns blue and evenly flames. Now, set the valve again in its position to burn steadily.

If you cannot lit the pilot light after following the above steps, it might be due to a clogged valve. For proper furnace maintenance in Woodbridge, you can use a thin wire to clean the opening of the valve. However, hiring a professional for furnace maintenance in Woodbridge can be wise if you are still unable to do it.

Step 5: Call a Professional for the Mechanical Maintenance

There are some elements in a furnace, especially the faulty thermocouple or the electrical parts of burners; they need to be handled by a professional. Here comes the importance of hiring a professional HVAC contractor. A professional HVAC contractor can provide the best in class furnace maintenance in Fairfax and ensure your furnace runs smoothly and efficiently again. You can call a professional in the following situations –

• The furnace makes noise.
• Burning smells are coming out of the vents.
• Lack of airflow or no airflow is coming or going through the vents.
• Poor air quality (too humid or dry), even after changing the filter.
• You need to install an upgraded model.

They can also assist you if you are not comfortable in

• Tightening electrical components
• Testing the fan amperage
• Cleaning the flame sensor
• Testing the velocity and temperature rising
• Cleaning the burners

If you want a professional furnace maintenance service in Woodbridge or in Fairfax at the most competitive prices possible or if you need expert consultation, you can talk to the experts at Dr HVAC.