Avoiding Winter Breakdowns With A Lansing Furnace Check Up Guide

As a winter approaches, Lansing homeowners know that a reliable furnace is essential. Avoiding breakdowns during the cold months, starts with a comprehensive furnace check up. Regular maintenance keeps your furnace, running smoothly, increases the efficiency, and prevent costly unexpected repairs. In this guide, we will cover the steps that it takes to have winter ready furnace to ensure your home stays warm all season.

Check and replace your furnace filter 

A clean furnace filter improves airflow, and boost efficiency not to mention reduce strain on the furnace. When the filters clogged your furnace will work harder, increasing your energy consumption and the risk of a breakdown. Replacing your filter, every 1 to 3 months, depending on the type and how often you use your furnace. 

Tip: homes with pets or allergies may need to replace her filters more frequently to maintain good air quality. 

Inspect and clean your furnace burner 

Overtime during debris can accumulate in your furnace burners, affecting combustion and heating efficiency. Burners with built-up dirt and produce uneven flames, reducing the furnace is efficiency. A professional can come and clean your burners, thoroughly to ensure safe optimal operation.

DIY note: if you’re checking yourself, always turn the power off to the furnace before inspecting our cleaning.

Check the thermostat for proper functioning 

If faulty thermostat can prevent your furnace from heating your home correctly. Turn on the furnace and set the thermostat to a few degrees higher than the room temperature. The furnace does not start immediately. The thermostat may need to be adjusted or repaired. 

Upgrade Tip: consider a programmable or a smart thermostat to add efficiency and energy savings.

Inspect your furnace area for obstructions 

The area around your furnace should be clear of all obstructions. String items near your furnace can block airflow, making the furnace work harder. More importantly, flammable material like paper paint or gasoline can increase fire risk.

Safety tip: keep at least 3 feet of clearance around your furnace.

Examine your furnace vents and air ducts 

Blocked or dirty vents, reduce furnace, efficiency, and strain your system. Ensure that all vents are open, unblocked and of dust and debris. Clean ducks, improve air quality, prevent allergens from accumulating and allows. Better airflow. 

Here is a pro tip: vacuum vent covers and air duct openings regularly to remove dust and prevent buildup.

Check your flame color 

Properly functioning furnished should produce a blue flame. A yellow or an orange flame indicates that you have a ventilation issue or incomplete combustion. Which can lead to inefficient heating and dangerous, carbon monoxide problems, or leaks. 

Here’s a warning: 

If you see a yellow flame, turn off your furnace and contact a professional for immediate inspection. 

Inspect the blower motor and fan belts 

The blower motor is essential to circulating warm throughout your house. Listening for unusual noises or squealing, which can indicate issues with the belt or the motor. Check belts for signs of wear and ensure that they are tight. Loose belts can disrupt the motors function, reducing heating efficiency. 

Maintenance tip: if you are unsure, always contact the professional to avoid any unintended damages.

Test test, the carbon monoxide detectors

Carbon monoxide detector is essential for indicating gas furnace leaks. Check all the detectors and make sure that they are working properly and replace the batteries if necessary. Test the alarm to ensure functions as a current monoxide leak is silent, orderless, and dangerous.

Here’s a reminder: the best place to put a carbon monoxide detector is near the furnace or bedrooms to maximize protection.

Clean the furnace cabinet and surrounding area

Dirt dust and debris can accumulate in or around the furnace cabinet, reducing efficiency and creating potential fire hazards. Vacuum around the furnace and clean the cabinet exterior to prevent buildup.

Pro tip: regularly clean to prevent dust from entering and blocking vital components. 

Schedule a professional furnace tune-up

While regular maintenance helps, an annual tuneup by professional is essential to keep your furnace and top shape. Technician will check and internal components, calibrate, the thermostat, test, safety controls, and verifies that your system is operating efficiently. They can also identify minor issues before they become costly problems, ensuring your furnace is winter ready.

Pro tip: Schedule your tune-up in the early season to avoid the winter rush

Bonus tips for saving on winter heating cost

A furnace check up helps prevent crucial breakdowns, but there are other steps lancing homeowners can take to save our winter heating.

• Seal draft and insulate properly gaps around the windows, doors and attic spaces let warm air escape, causing your furnace to work harder. Seal these areas with weatherstripping or caulk and consider adding insulation in the attic or basement to maximize the efficiency.
• The thermostat you choose matters a programmable thermostat allows you to set a heating schedule, saving energy when you’re sleeping or away. Lowering the temperature at night by a few degrees can cut energy cost without sacrificing comfort.
• Reverse ceiling fan direction ceiling fans are set to spin clockwise pushing warm air down, helping circulate heat throughout the room. Use this trick on a slow setting in the room with high ceilings.
• Open curtains during the day letting in natural light This can help warm your house for free. Open curtains on the south facing windows during the day and close them at night to keep the heat in.

Stay warm with a reliable furnace in Lansing

By following these furnished, check up tips, Lansing homeowners can avoid unexpected winter breakdowns and enjoy a cozy, comfortable home. Regular maintenance and sure that the furnace runs as it should saving you money and reducing the risk of emergency repairs. With a little proactive care, you can keep your furnace in great condition and stay warm all winter long.