When old man winter comes back around in West Allis and southeastern Wisconsin, homeowners are faced with a very important task. They need to get a furnace tune up to help it run efficiently during heavy usage and to help avert expensive, preventable furnace repairs in the future. They need to prepare their furnaces for increased usage during the winter months. Fortunately for homeowners throughout West Allis and the surrounding area, this task is not as hard as one may think

It is in fact, actually quite the opposite. With the expert tips from New Berlin Heating and Air Conditioning, and the right tools in your bag, you can give your furnace the maintenance it requires to run efficiently and keep your home the temperature you desire. You won’t have to worry about your furnace breaking down and leaving you cold in the night when you prepare your furnace for the added stress of winter.

Here is a short list of the top maintenance routines and tips you can do to ensure your furnace is ready to keep you comfy all winter long.

1. A Safe Work Environment:

Before you do anything, make sure you set up a work environment that is as safe as possible, so that you can safely work on your furnace without getting yourself hurt. Before beginning, you will want to shut down your furnace completely.

Starting out safely may take a little extra time, but it will save you from damaging your furnace or even worse, seriously injuring yourself.

2. Check the Gas Line Connections:

It’s no big surprise that the gas line is the most important part of your furnace. Which makes it a pretty good place to start when beginning your maintenance routine. You will want to check that the gas line is tightened down and secured into place. This will stop any chance of a potentially dangerous leak that can put you, and your family in danger.

3. Clean Your Filters:

Another important part to check is your filters. Your furnace will run the best when the air flow is unrestricted; that means you need to check your filter for any debris. Take a dust cloth or a duster and remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may have decided to stick around. Doing this will open up the air flow and keep your furnace happy, which will keep you happy too!

4. Change Your Filters:

While cleaning your filter is a good habit to get into, every now and again you will have to replace them with new filters. Doing this will help keep your furnace operating at peak performance for a long time.

While this may vary, we at New Berlin Heating Contractors, recommend that you check your filter monthly and replace it once it can no longer be cleaned. Some filter types should be replaced monthly, while some higher grade filters can last up to 6 months.

5. Inspect Your Thermostat:

Your thermostat is the most important part of controlling your furnace; without it, you no longer have the ability to control your furnace and the temperature in your home. It is crucial that your thermostat is working correctly.

You need to check your thermostat periodically to make sure everything is in proper working order.

6. Watch Out for Bad Wiring:

Having a certified furnace repair tech inspect your furnace for any fraying that may indicate faulty wiring is a sure way to avoid both of these stressful scenarios. It is always a best practice to have your furnace inspected annually.

7. Clean Your Ducts:

If you were not already aware, the ductwork in your home’s heating and cooling system is happy breeding ground for mold and other bacteria. This can lead to serious health and breathing problems for you and your family if not prevented.

Because of this, it is always a good idea to occasionally clean the ductwork within your system to make sure it is free from dirt, moisture, and biological growth (nasty mold food!) Leaks in your ductwork may cause air loss within your heating system that will cause your furnace to be overworked while it tries to compensate for the lost air.

When you have furnace service, your service tech will be able to examine ductwork and seal any leaks they come across, or replace ducts that are beyond repair.

8. Clear the Vents:

Another issue to look out for is clogged vents in your HVAC system. This can lead to an inconsistently heated or cooled home, with some rooms being cooler or warmer than others. You can prevent this issue by going through your home or having a service tech check all of your vents, removing any caked on debris that may be blocking air flow.

9. Finish Up with the Fans:

The final check you want to do on your gas furnace maintenance checklist is to clean the fans. If the fan blades become covered in dirt, it can make it hard for them to rotate, overworking and eventually shutting down your system.

While it is possible to handle furnace maintenance yourself, a better and more efficient idea is to schedule professional gas furnace tune-up services on an annual basis. A certified furnace repair and service professional will be able to quickly check your system and perform the important maintenance tasks that lead to long-term efficiency.

Call New Berlin Heating and Air conditioning to schedule a tune up for your furnace in West Allis and Southeastern Wisconsin today!