Fundamentally Furnaces

Maintenance Tips for a Gas Furnace

Gas furnaces are relatively easy to operate and maintain, but they do require regular maintenance to stay in good condition. Gas furnaces can be dangerous if they are in need of maintenance and you neglect them; for instance if there is a gas leak it could be very dangerous if not.

1. Check for gas leaks

Gas leaks on gas furnaces are easy to spot, you can tell from gas build up on the floor or from the smell of gas around the furnace area. Gas leaks require a professional to fix the furnace to ensure the safety of the unit.

2. Thermostat working properly?

Have you noticed the house is either really warm or really cold, but the thermostat is set at a comfortable temperature? When a thermostat is not working properly the furnace will not heat the house properly, which makes the unit very inefficient.

3. Control valve turned open?

Is your furnace producing no heat and you can't figure out what's wrong? A common problem when getting a gas furnace to run properly is that the control valve is turned off, if the valve is turned off the furnace will not produce heat.

4. When have you changed the air filter?

Regularly changing the air filter is an important part of gas furnace maintenance that should be addressed regularly. Air filters can be purchased at almost any hardware store, and they are not expensive. A dirty air filter will make the gas furnace produce less heat and make it incredibly inefficient.

5. Does your gas furnace need cleaning?

Cleaning is a regular task for proper gas furnace maintenance. Click here for a step by step guide to properly cleaning a gas furnace.

6. When was the last time you checked the tension belt?

If your gas furnace is running loudly and you can't seem to figure out why the tension belt may be a possible cause.

7. Have you checked the pilot light?

If the pilot light is out the furnace will not work, therefore make sure the pilot light is lit and working properly. The pilot light should be a deep hot blue, but if it is another color then it is not working properly.

8. When was the last time you oiled the motor?

Need more information and have questions? Contact C4U Inspections today