That can really add up in terms of heating costs. Worse still is that you may run into an especially cold night where the heat suddenly goes out. Then you have to make an expensive service call for a furnace repair.
However there are some very simple preventative gas furnace maintenance measures that almost everyone can take in order to help to avoid these situations. Start by making a checklist that will cover the basics when it comes to gas furnace maintenance. Then hang that checklist next to the furnace so that it won't get lost, and then you will know when the last time you did the maintenance. Here is what you will need to do to maintain your gas furnace.
Dirt
Dirt is the single biggest cause of having a technician come out to do heating repair. The worst part is that cleaning the dirt out of your furnace is something that anyone can do and it should never have to result in a service call. First of all you will want to replace or clean your furnace filter at the beginning of the heating system and then once every three months during continuous use. Hold the filter up to the light and see if you can see through it. If you can't see any light then you need to clean or replace the filter. Also open up your furnace and look for the blower assembly. It should be easy to find. You will want to remove the dirt around it.
Pilot Light
Before calling in a technician, check to see if the pilot light is lit. A gas furnace will almost always have a small flame that will ignite the gas. If this flame has blown out, then follow the manufacturer's instructions to relight it. While you are doing this, make sure that the burner assembly is clean and free of dirt. The pilot light should have a blue flame. There should be no hints of yellow in the flame. Some gas furnaces do not have a pilot light and instead have an electrical probe that ignites the gas. If this is the case you will more than likely need someone to perform a heater repair.
Save Money
Now that you keep your furnace clean and running efficiently with regular gas furnace maintenance, there is a final step that will help you save money. You should have a programmable thermostat that allows you to lower the heat during the day automatically. This lets you keep the house cooler when everyone is at work, and that saves you money. After all there is no point in keeping a house completely warmed up when no one is home. Following these steps will help you to save on your heating costs for this winter.
While these DIY furnace maintenance tips can save you money, there will be times when you need to call on a professional gas furnace repair specialist. Don't be left out in the cold. Put our reliable, courteous, certified heating technicians to work for you. To learn more about services our company offers, please visit our homepage.
