Just like your AC system, unless you perform regular maintenance it may fail. But unless you are a heating professional, this can seem like a pretty daunting prospect.

We are here to help. Read on for 3 furnace maintenance tips to help you keep on top of things.

1. Check Your Thermostat

Make sure that you’re checking your thermostat. Shut off the power and open the furnace doors. Give the furnace wires a little tug to ensure they’re tight and fitted right.

Then check the batteries in the thermostat and replace them if needed. If your thermostat is electro-mechanical then open the panel to give the coils and contact plates a light dusting. Make sure to use something small and soft, like a paintbrush to avoid damaging it.   Make sure no strong sunlight hits the thermometer and there aren’t things like lamps near it. This can cause false readings.

2. Change Your Furnace Filter

Replacing the furnace filter helps keep your system efficient. When it gets clogged with dirt and dust it means your system has to work twice as hard. This, in turn, drives up your energy costs and increases your carbon footprint.

Changing it is quick and easy. If your filter is disposable, you can pick up a new one. If it’s reusable, then follow the care instructions to clean and dry it. There will be markings that tell you which side of the filter should be facing the furnace.

Follow this guide and slide the filter back in. If there is a cover, make sure you replace it. A handy tip is to keep a record of the date you changed it, you can mark it on a calendar or in a diary. This way you know when you need to change or clean it again.

3. Vacuum

Dust, debris, and dirt don’t only clog up the filters, they can damage the furnace as a whole. No matter how good your filters, over time dirt, dust and other debris will find its way into your furnace.

Like all electrical equipment, your furnace works best when it is clean. A covering of dust acts to insulate the electrical components, making them heat up above their operating temperature. As components become worn, you reduce the efficiency of your furnace and increase the risk of poor combustion.

While you can certainly keep the outside of your furnace free of debris, it is essential to have a Green Apple professional to take care of the inside of your furnace.

3. Clean Your Vents

When cleaning up your furnace it is easy to overlook your vents. If they become blocked, it can become a fire a hazard.

After removing your vent covers, let them soak in warm, soapy water. You can then rinse them clean and set them to dry. Most metal covers are also dishwasher safe.

Using a long, flexible brush (special dryer vent brushes are excellent) give the walls of the ducts a hard scrub. This will dislodge any compacted dust.

After this, you can use your vacuum to remove the dust that the brushing loosened. A long flexible hose with a brush attachment is best for this. Repeat this process for all of your accessible ducts.

Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free @888-315-5564