Own A Furnace? Information You Should Know About It
If you own a furnace to heat your home, the last thing you want to have happens is for it to break down when the temperatures are cold outside. Fortunately, you can reduce the chances of this happening by learning some things about your furnace. Below is more information about this so you can keep your furnace running well.
Learn About the Parts
Learning the parts of the furnace can help you understand how it works. This is helpful if there are problems you may know approximately where the problem is coming from.
At the bottom of the furnace is the filter, the blower, and the blower motor. All three of these things is encased in a blower chamber. Next is the electronic surface igniter, flame sensor, or pilot light. This depends on if you have a gas or electric furnace. A cover is placed over the type of cover and the combustion chamber is above this cover. Above this is the heat exchanger, the supply plenum, the damper handle, the damper, and the air supply duct.
On the side of the furnace is either the power shutoff switch or the gas shutoff valve along with the return duct
Learn About Keeping the Furnace Maintained
Hire a furnace contractor to come to your home to maintain the furnace on a regular basis. If the furnace is new the contractor may suggest that you do this once every couple of years. If the furnace is old, however, the contractor may suggest you have it maintained every year.
The contractor will start out by checking the filter, blower, and blower motor to ensure everything is clean. The will clean the fan and change the filter, if needed. The contractor will then remove any dust or other debris from the combustion chamber.
The contractor will check all internal components to ensure all is working well. If you have a gas furnace, the contractor checks the shut off valve to ensure it works properly, as well as that the pilot light is the right color.
Learn About Cleaning the Ducts
If you have a forced air furnace there are also furnace ducts. These ducts are generally made of sheet metal and carry heat from the furnace through various air registers inside your home. If you use a heat pump along with the furnace you will have ductwork for heating and cooling.
The furnace contractor will inspect the ductwork for any leaks. If found, they can use a special tape to close the leak. This will prevent air from leaking while the furnace is running.
If the insides of the ductwork are dusty, this dust will get into your home through the vent registers when the furnace is running. This puts dust all over your home, as well as affects anyone that has respiratory issues.
Talk with the furnace installation and repair contractor that you hire for much more information on maintaining your furnace.
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