Gas Furnace Maintenance Guide

Are you staying warm or feeling the chill this winter? It’s important to make sure your home is ready for the extreme cold temperatures Canadian winters can bring. A heating solution that operates efficiently throughout the season can make all the difference when it comes to remaining comfortable indoors.

Every homeowner should know how to properly maintain a gas furnace and also know when it’s time to call on the experts. Whether you are learning how to take care of your heating system, need a repair or considering an equipment upgrade, use our helpful guide to answer some of the most frequently asked questions and get advice from the professionals at The Energy Centre.

Do gas furnaces need to be cleaned?

While it’s important to regularly change the filter in your gas furnace, it’s even more critical to thoroughly clean the furnace system itself. Dirt and other debris can build up over time, reducing its efficiency in addition to trapping allergens in the air and increasing your heating and maintenance costs. That’s why it is extremely important to clean your furnace at least once or twice a year. The most optimal time to clean it is in the summer months when your heating system is not in use. This way, you have time to make any repairs as necessary to ensure that your furnace is working properly for use in the colder months.

How to clean a gas furnace?

Gas furnaces are usually quite easy to maintain. There are several actions you can take to keep your heating system in optimum condition. Taking these proactive steps will ensure that your furnace provides several years of dependable service. By investing a few hours into cleaning your gas furnace, you can save yourself from countless headaches if you need an emergency repair or replacement in the middle of the winter season. Fortunately, cleaning your heating system is a fairly basic process but if you need professional assistance, we are here to help.

How to maintain a gas furnace?

Routine gas furnace maintenance is the key for preventing the effects of winter weather from being felt indoors. Regular maintenance can also lower your heating costs and make your home much more energy efficient. While there are some aspects to your furnace that are more complex than others and should be handled by a professional, there are still several things you can do yourself to keep your heating system running properly. For instance, you can easily inspect areas like your furnace’s filter or blower and clean them accordingly or check your thermostat if you notice anything unusual about how you feel around the home. If you have performed your gas furnace maintenance routine and still suspect that something is off, contact us for reliable and affordable repair services.

How to prepare a gas furnace for winter?

Before the winter season gets into full swing, one of your top priorities should be ensuring that your gas furnace is not only functional but that it is also operating safely and as efficiently as possible. If you are unsure how to go about preparing your heating system for the colder months, it’s best to call an HVAC expert to have your furnace professionally inspected. During regular maintenance, a serviceman will clean your furnace, look for leaks and damages and ensure that all the components are operational. If you prefer to take on some of the work yourself, there are a few things you can do to prepare your furnace for the winter like regularly changing out filters, removing any items that are stored near your furnace and top off your gas while taking advantage of a cheaper, summer rate.

Gas furnace troubleshooting

Even with proper maintenance, gas furnaces can run into technical issues that prevent it from functioning as it should. For happy homeowners and heating systems, your furnace requires regular upkeep in addition to professional servicing. If you’ve followed all the steps and your furnace is still acting up, there are some things you can do to troubleshoot the problem yourself. For example, the first thing you will want to do is check your furnace’s air filter. That’s because one of the most common culprits of a malfunctioning furnace is a dirty filter. You can also check your thermostat, electrical panel, furnace flame, vents and valves to see if you can identify and fix the issue. If you are still running into trouble, it may be time to call the pros who can help you determine if there is a more serious issue at hand.

Gas furnace repair tips

You might be pleased to know that gas furnaces often present fewer operational challenges over their oil burning counterparts. Problems that typically affect gas furnaces often have to do with dirty filters, the pilot light or another component related to the electrical system. Fortunately, there are some basic repairs you can perform to ensure that your heating system is operating in peak condition. While these tasks may appear straightforward, there is some risk involved when handling your furnace. If you feel uncomfortable performing any of these repairs, call upon a trusted professional.

When to replace a gas furnace?

Gas furnaces usually have a life expectancy of about 18-20 years depending on a number of different factors, including whether or not you have had it professionally serviced every year. Aside from age, there are also other considerations to keep in mind that can help you determine if it’s time to replace your furnace. By understanding and acknowledging these factors, you can quickly establish whether your furnace needs replacing or simply needs a repair. However, furnace systems that are available today are much more efficient than previous models, so it is important to keep that in mind if you are considering shopping for a new heating system.

If you’re in need of a new gas furnace in Ottawa, contact the team at The Energy Centre. Schedule an appointment at 613-746-7000 or contact us online for more information.