Bogo Special - Buy This Year’s Tune-Up, Get Next Year’s Free!
m_subpage_banner

Back To Blog

A Homeowner’s Guide to Furnace Maintenance

post img

Let’s face it: Nobody likes being without heat during the winter. A cold home is profoundly uncomfortable and when the weather turns frigidly cold, it can even be dangerous. Not to mention that without heating, you could get frozen pipes, which could cause a whole host of problems. As a homeowner, therefore, it’s important to have a basic understanding of furnace maintenance so you can keep your heating system in good working order throughout the year. 

How a Furnace Works

In order to properly maintain your furnace, you need to understand how a furnace works. Air is mixed with either gas, propane or oil and ignited in a specially-designed combustion chamber. Filtered air is blown across the heated chamber to heat. The heated air is then led into the air ducts, from where it’s distributed throughout the home. 

Step-by-Step Furnace Maintenance

To keep your furnace in good working order, follow these steps:

  • Check the pilot light. Regardless of the type of fuel your furnace uses, the pilot light should be blue. If it’s yellow of some other color, it indicates that too much carbon monoxide is being produced, and you need to call a technician right away.
  • Listen for strange sounds. If you hear clunks, squeaks, or any other unusual sounds, it’s a sign that something could be amiss, so call a technician before trying to do any maintenance.

If the pilot light is blue and there are no strange noises coming from the furnace, you can proceed with the actual maintenance:

  • Switch off the power and shut off the fuel supply. This is imperative to your safety, so never forget this all-important step! Usually, the power shut off is located close to the furnace and the fuel shutoff valve will be on the gas pipe or oil tank.
  • Clean the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber quickly gets covered in soot, which can corrode its sides over time. To remove the soot, scrape it out gently with a wire brush and vacuum up any dust. 
  • If you have an oil furnace, change the filter. The oil valve needs to be closed so you can remove the old filter and replace it with a new one.
  • Clean or change the air filter. Check whether the system uses reusable or disposable air filters. If the filter is reusable, follow the instructions in the manufacturer’s manual to clean it. If it’s a disposable filter, remove the old one and replace it.
  • Inspect the flue pipe for damage. Any corrosion or holes in the flue pipe could potentially be hazardous, as they can leak carbon monoxide. Visually inspect the flue pipe for damage. You can cover small holes with foil tape, but if you see corrosion or larger holes, you’ll need to replace the pipe.  

It’s important to keep your furnace well-maintained, as it will keep your heating costs low and ensure your furnace lasts a long time. That’s why, in addition to performing regular maintenance yourself, you should schedule professional cleaning and maintenance at least once a year. Before hiring a technician, make sure that he or she is specialized in the type of furnace you have and has good reviews on Angie’s List, Yelp, Google+, and the Yellow Pages

Contact us for furnace replacement today!

Or check out our stellar Google reviews!

ribbon
Contact Us Today

Sidebar

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Why Choose Us Discover the Albemarle
Difference
Serving Since 1988
Fully Licensed and Insured
Trained and Experienced Technicians
Upfront Pricing
Peace of Mind Guarantees
24/7 Emergency Service
Serving Since 1988
Fully Licensed and Insured
Trained and Experienced Technicians
Upfront Pricing
Peace of Mind Guarantees
24/7 Emergency Service
Start Saving Today Limited-Time Specials
It Pays To Have Options $100 to be exact!
Expires 10/31/24 It's simple. Allow one of our Comfort Consultants to come to your home and assess your system. They'll answer any questions, provide a proposal, and upon you're purchase of a new system, you'll receive a $100 gift card.
Save 20% on ANY HVAC Service Repair
Expires 10/31/24 Cannot be combined with any special offer or coupon. Limit 1 per customer.
Free Diagnostic with minimum $250 repair
Expires 10/31/24 Cannot be combined with any special offer or coupon. Limit 1 per customer.
On an Indoor Air Quality Device Save 10%
Expires 10/31/24 *When purchased and installed by 7/31/24. *Only valid for Air Scrubber Plus, APCO Fresh AIRE-UV, iWave R, Plasma Pure, and Aprilaire Dehumidifiers. Cannot be combined with HSC membership discounts. Call for Details.
On ANY Service Call! Save $50
Expires 10/31/24 *Limit one per household
*Mention this ad when scheduling
$1,100 Instant Rebate & 18 Months Same-As-Cash Financing* RIGHT FIT SPECIAL
Expires 10/31/24 *Subject to credit approval. Coupon is for Daikin Fit system only.
*Whole- House Plumbing Inspection Only $49 (regularly $99) SAVE $50
Expires 10/31/24 *Up to 2 1/2 baths.
Free 2nd Opinion Call For Details 2nd Opinion
Expires 10/31/24
First-Time Customers Can Save 50% On The Initial Diagnostic Fee. 50% OFF
Expires 10/31/24
ribbon m_ribbon
Satisfied Customers
Total Google Reviews
4.9 Google Rating
What Our Clients Are Saying
testimonial_image

What a pleasure it was turning on the shower last night and having immediate hot water! Also, using the much more comfortable and clean toilets! Once again, we are very pleased with the work your crew did!

testimonial_image

I love Albemarle Heating and Air. Every single person we have ever had has been polite, concerned, efficient and knowledgeable. We have had them service both our furnace and our air conditioner and I felt good about every interaction ...

testimonial_image

Albemarle Heating and Air has been servicing our HVAC for going on 10 years now. Always reliable, easy to deal with, and professional. Highly recommend!!

testimonial_image

The technicians are always punctual, polite, and knowledgeable and take the time to explain their recommendations.

testimonial_image

The technician was personable and knowledgeable on the repair. Great experience. I would use AH&A again!

testimonial_image

The technician conducted a routine checkup of my HVAC system. He called me before he arrived, early in the four-hour window. He made sure to wear coverings on his feet. Told me what he was doing as he worked ...

Proudly Serving
CHARLOTTESVILLE AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Albemarle County | Fluvanna County | Louisa County | Nelson County | Augusta County | Madison County | Greene County | Orange County
Affiliations