As the cool of winter sets in and the temperature drops indoors and out, your living temperature and personal comfort rely on the effectiveness of your furnace. Yearly furnace maintenance guarantees your heater runs at top performance and prevents inefficiency and potential fire hazards.

If you have never performed annual furnace maintenance, here are the main tasks that must be done.

1. Checking for Cracks and Damage to the Heat Exchanger

A heat exchanger is a metallic partition that separates the combustion chamber from the blower to efficiently distribute warm air from the furnace throughout your residence. An extensive examination can detect vulnerabilities that might cause carbon monoxide gas leakages or minimized performance.

A clear sign of damage to a heat exchanger is finding residue accumulation, corrosion, or any contortions around your furnace.

2. Examining the Blower Motor and Belt

The blower motor propels heated air away from the furnace, through your ducts, and into the living spaces. Any damage to the motor or belt can significantly impact the flow of heated air.

During annual furnace maintenance, it’s essential to inspect the condition of the blower motor and belt. Listen for unusual noises like humming or screeching, which signify worn bearings or a frayed belt. If left unchecked, a faulty blower motor may cause the furnace to overheat, shut down prematurely, or fail.

3. Cleaning or Replacing the Air Filter

A blocked air filter is a typical perpetrator when it concerns heating system issues and poor air quality. Clogged filters limit air movement, requiring the heating system to function harder, which decreases its life span.

Check for excess dirt or dust accumulation on the filter and identify if cleaning suffices or if a substitute is essential. Neglecting this easy maintenance step can lead to inadequate air quality and greater electrical bills due to reduced effectiveness.

By attending to these parts of your heating system throughout the year, you optimize the efficiency and durability of your furnace. Routine maintenance protects against little concerns and prevents small damage from becoming a major problem.

If you feel the cold temperatures in your home more than ever, it’s time to give your furnace a closer inspection.

Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.

Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.