Starting Your Furnace | Fall 2017

August 22, 2017

Starting Your Furnace | Fall 2017

furnaceEvery year, many people wait until the cold weather hits before they turn on their furnace for the season. As a result, we always receive a substantial amount of calls for repairs on the first cold day of the season.

In the next month or so, many of us will be turning the thermostat to the heat setting and starting up the furnace for the first time in 5 months or longer. Like any other major appliance, there are a number of things you need to check and maintain.

Here are some tips for starting your furnace from your local Vancouver heating professionals.

Tips for Starting Your Furnace:

General inspection

While the furnace is still turned off, give it a good visual inspection and look for obvious signs that something may be wrong. Look for:

  • Rusted or corroded side panels
  • Water spots or orange spots on the floor around the unit
  • Signs that it has moved or shifted

Next, turn off the power source from the circuit breaker and inspect the wiring. Look for:

  • Chaffed or cut casings
  • Gently bend the wires to make sure the casings are not dry-rotted
  • Make sure there are no loose or exposed wires

If you notice any of the signs above, you should inspect further or call a qualified HVAC professional before starting the furnace.

Clean the furnace

While cleaning in the furnace, work carefully to avoid damaging or jarring the components. Clean the accessible areas of the unit with a vacuum and a brush attachment. Remember to remove the residue from the pilot light port and burners

Inspect the exhaust vent

Check to make sure the vents are free of obstructions. Dust, debris, and even small animals may find their way into the vents during the summer months.

Test the safety detectors

Remember to replace the batteries in the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Once replaced, test the devices to ensure they are working correctly.

Furnace maintenance

Most manufacturers recommend for maintenance to be performed each year. This maintenance may include:

  • Lubrication of the gears
  • Checking the unit for rust and corrosion
  • Cleaning the burners
  • Checking the vents for leaks and blockages
  • Verifying proper ignition, flame sensors, and burner flame

Think about it – going without heat in the summer or fall won’t affect you at all. In comparison, going without heat in the winter is an extremely uncomfortable experience.

Schedule a Furnace Maintenance Appointment, today! Contact your local Qualified HVAC Technicians at Universal Plumbing and Heating at 604-873-3551 or visit our website.

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