At the end of the winter season, everyone is glad to see those huge heating bills drop to more manageable levels. Before you shut down your heater for the season, remember that now is the time to perform furnace maintenance to keep your unit running well before the cold rolls in next fall and winter. While some maintenance can be done by a homeowner, a good plumber or HVAC technician should be consulted to make sure that your heating system will run efficiently during the next winter season and for years to come.
First and foremost, you must turn off your unit from the breaker box. Directly after that, you will want to shut off the gas valve, if you will not be using the heater for the upcoming months. Once this is complete, you will be able to clear the unit of any dirt or debris that has accumulated over the colder months. It is important to note that the burners also need to be checked and cleaned, to prevent any fire hazards. Cleaning this area can be tricky, as you will need to be sure not to damage the thermocouple or any of the other fragile components of the furnace. If you are not well versed in working on your own furnace, it might be best to call in that plumber or HVAC technician at this point.
After cleaning the furnace or boiler, you will be ready to replace the air filter. Doing this at the end of the winter will ensure that it is clean and safe for the months it is out of use, and ready to be turned on during the next cold season. These filters can be picked up at most home improvement stores, but it is important to ensure that you purchase one of high quality. To help the unit run at maximum efficiency when it is in use, this filter should be changed out once a month.
Furnace maintenance should also include a thorough check of the motor. Any professional hired to facilitate this process for you will check your motor's oil bearings, furnace belt and blower. Though this can be done by a homeowner, it will prevent potential damage to your heater if you hire a plumber or HVAC technician, who can safely and efficiently complete these steps for you. Hiring a professional at the end of the winter season is always a great idea, as these companies are usually incredibly busy during early fall, and offer lower rates to customers who make appointments with them at the start of spring.
While most people may not realize it, regular routine maintenance checks on your furnace will very likely be more economical than repair of this critical appliance during the cold of winter, if it should break down.
As summer approaches, you may seek maintenance for your AC unit, and utilizing that time to schedule an end-of-season check up for your furnace is a great idea. Combining both services in one visit helps you prepare for a warm summer and a chilly season. These check-ups for your furnace and boiler as well as your air conditioning units will keep them running efficiently, to save you on electric and heating bills. A cold winter night due to a broken heater can be avoided with regular furnace maintenance, especially when done by a certified professional.
Author Resource:-
In the Colorado Springs area, call on furnace maintenance experts, Excellent Plumbing, Heating and Mechanical for your service needs at competitive prices. With over 30 years experience, their technicians provide expertise and maintenance for your furnace or boiler, to keep it running for years to come. Distributed by SEO 2.0 Services
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