Your mind has probably switched its focus from your air conditioner to your furnace. It makes sense as you are more likely to turn on your heater in the recent lower temperatures Oregon City has been experiencing since the arrival of the fall season.
But when you go to switch on the heat, do you hesitate because you aren’t sure about when the last time was your heating system was checked? Honestly we wish that more people did, because it could save them a lot of time, money and warmth in the colder days to come!
It’s advisable to take the time to do a thorough check-up on your furnace long before you ever turn it on. If you have already begun using this system, don’t worry. It isn’t too late to make time to give your heater a once over.
If you aren’t sure what you should be looking for, we have provided you with a checklist of what to examine and look for. If you notice an issue with your system however, we urge you to call a professional for help.
What to Check
- See if the burners need cleaning: If your burners are covered in dirt or soot, they won’t be able to work properly. A dirty burner can’t combust well and will end up wasting energy and gas.
- Check for gas leaks: If you smell gas in your home or anywhere near the furnace, this is a major red flag. Make sure you reach out for assistance immediately if you smell a gas leak. Additionally, make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order as you may not be able to smell gas that can harm your health.
- Inspect and clean or replace needed parts: Clean out any debris around the blower wheel and within the cabinet of the furnace. Look into cleaning or replacing the air filter.
- Check heat exchanger for cracks: This is an especially important point. Why? Because a cracked heat exchanger can release toxic fumes that could harm those inside the house. The risk of a crack in this part of the furnace goes up with its age, so the older your system the closer you want to look at the exchanger!
- Double check your pilot light: Is it blue? You are good to go. If it is any other color, you should reach out to a professional immediately as this is a sign your furnace is burning something other than natural gas.
Maintenance or Repair?
These are some of the things you can check to make sure your furnace will be working well this autumn, and will continue doing so into winter.
If you notice any major issues during your examination though, it may be time to schedule a furnace repair in Oregon City, OR. We recommend you schedule repairs as soon as possible to protect yourself and your wallet.
If you are in need of furnace maintenance, repair or replacement, contact Clean Air Act, Inc. for help. Please call Sydni, our Office Extraordinaire, to schedule your next appointment! We will take care of you from there!