Fall Guide to Gas Furnaces

By now, you’ve likely turned on the heat with Calgary’s chilly temperatures. Hopefully, you were able to make the switch from A/C to heating without needing a furnace repair service. Even if everything is running perfectly, reviewing a few maintenance items is a good idea. After all, you don’t want to end up needing to buy a new furnace on the coldest night of the year due to an emergency. By being proactive in the fall, you can save time, money, and headaches by following our fall guide to gas furnaces.

Fall Guide to Gas Furnaces

In the case of your furnace, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. By keeping up with your maintenance tasks, you can prolong the life of your heating system to avoid the cost of a new furnace or furnace repair service mid-winter. Our experienced technicians shared their top tips to help you avoid an unexpected issue.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

You don’t often think about the consequences of no heat until you really need it. You should have a yearly reminder in your calendar before the weather gets too cold to do your seasonal maintenance. That way, you’re not scrambling for an emergency furnace repair service in the middle of the night.

When the temperatures drop, more homeowners call in for repairs and maintenance. This could mean you’ll be waiting a little longer when it’s the most inconvenient time.

Change your air filter regularly.

If you can’t remember the last time you changed your air filter, it’s probably been too long. By pushing this off, you’re putting more stress on your furnace with its decreased efficiency due to the clogged filter. This is what causes bigger problems to evolve over time.

The frequency of changing your air filter will vary on a few factors. If you have pets, it’s recommended to do it every 45 days. Without pets, you can wait 90 days. To change your air filter, you don’t need a technician. Just follow these steps:

1. Turn off your furnace.
2. Remove your old filter.
3. Follow the airflow arrows and insert the new filter. Make sure you have the correct size.
4. Remember to turn your furnace back on when you’re finished.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Your gas furnace has the potential to emit dangerous gasses if the heat exchanger fails. That’s why it’s crucial to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors during your fall furnace maintenance routine.

One important thing to know is that your detectors should be at least 15 feet away from your furnace. If it’s too close, it can give off false alarms.

Give your furnace a once-over.

Even if everything is running smoothly, it’s a good idea to give your furnace a visual inspection every so often. Things to look out for include:

• All of the tubes and pipes are securely fastened.
• If there are any cracks, rust, or holes in your heat exchanger.
• A smell of rotten eggs could indicate a gas leak.

If anything seems out of place or even questionable, it’s worth having a professional take a look before anything escalates.

Keep things clean.

Doubling up your furnace area as storage space isn’t the best idea. Not only is it a fire hazard, but it can also make your furnace less efficient over time. You want your air intake to be clear and any furnace repair service to be able to access it easily. Regularly dusting and vacuuming the area is a good idea to avoid any build-up affecting your furnace.

Once everything is clean, take a moment to go around your house and check if there are any drafts. Make a note of where the problem areas are so you can inform your furnace repair service on their next visit.

When To Call In a Gas Furnace Repair Service

There are some easy things you can do for your own fall furnace maintenance, but there are some instances when you should call in a professional. Otherwise, you may make the problem worse and need a whole new furnace to remedy the issue mid-winter. Here are some red flags that your gas furnace needs some special attention.

• Funny smells are coming from your vents or the furnace itself. If you get a whiff of rotten eggs, there could be a gas leak, which needs immediate care.
• Unusual noises should be investigated sooner rather than later. It could be a simple fix, or something that could become a bigger problem if left alone.
• If you hear your furnace turn on and off often, this is known as short cycling. It can happen for a number of reasons and should be looked at by a professional to determine the cause.

The furnace is a crucial part of Calgary homes, especially with dropping temperatures. You don’t want to leave your furnace maintenance until it’s too late. One of our friendly technicians can ensure you’re running in tip-top shape and give you a heads-up if there are any causes for concern. Book your furnace check-in today!

How often do you change your air filter for your gas furnace? How dirty is it when you change it? Share your comments below so our readers can keep up with their furnace maintenance.