Furnace Maintenance Is Critical For Seattle & Bellevue Neighborhoods

Furnace maintenance is critical in Seattle and Bellevue areas before the cold season starts; otherwise, you’ll feel the chill during the day or night if your furnace fails to operate. Even if the winter is mild, there will be days and nights that will be extremely cold, so it’s good to schedule furnace maintenance before winter sets in. Also, many homeowners would be thinking the same thing, therefore, make an appointment with a professional heating technician before anyone else.

5 Common Issues With Furnaces

Just like other machines, a furnace has several moving parts. Because the furnace runs continuously when the temperature is low, the unit is subjected to normal wear and tear. Furnace maintenance is critical in Seattle and Bellevue areas since dust, dirt, and other airborne particles make their way into the unit when it’s operational.

The three main components of a heating system that are prone to malfunctions are the thermostat, the distribution system, and the heat source. Any one of these could be the source of the problem. Some situations include the following:

If the heating system does not run, it could be due to loss of power, the fuel cannot reach the unit, or in the case of an oil or gas furnace, the fuel is not igniting.
If the furnace turns on, but warmth is not distributed into the rooms of your house, there could be a problem with the distribution system or the blower.
A faulty thermostat, on the other hand, could prevent your heating system from turning on. It could also cause your unit to cycle on and off continuously.

Why Furnace Maintenance Is Important

Just like other machines, a furnace has several moving parts. Because the furnace runs continuously when the temperature is low, the unit is subjected to normal wear and tear. Furnace maintenance is critical in the Pacific Northwest since dust, dirt, and other airborne particles make their way into the furnace units.

If the heating system does not run, it could be due to loss of power, the fuel cannot reach the unit, or in the case of an oil or gas furnace, the fuel is not igniting.

If the furnace turns on, but warmth is not distributed into the rooms of your house, there could be a problem with the distribution system or the blower.
A faulty thermostat, on the other hand, could prevent your heating system from turning on. It could also cause your unit to cycle on and off continuously.

Safety Reminders For Homeowners

If you are a DIY-er who knows how to maintain a furnace, there are a few preliminary things to do. Otherwise, call Fischer Heating for expert help on furnace maintenance near you.

Check if the heating unit receives power. At the main entrance panel, look for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. Note that there are furnace models that have power entrances located in another panel, while their fuses could be placed on or in the heating unit.
If there is a “reset” button, allow the motor to cool for 30 minutes before you press the reset button. You can do this step a maximum of three times.

For a gas or oil furnace, ensure that the fuel supply is adequate. For a gas furnace, see to it that the pilot light is a little.

Furnace Maintenace Tips

A heating system is a necessity in places with four seasons; thus, furnace maintenance is critical in the Seattle and Bellevue neighborhoods. The best thing to do to keep your furnace working efficiently is to schedule an annual checkup by a licensed technician. It is recommended that professional technicians conduct the adjustments, inspections, and replacement of parts. One of the things that should be regularly checked (and/or replaced) is the furnace filter. It’s a task a homeowner can do to ensure that the furnace is clean. The frequency of replacement depends on how dusty it can be in your neighborhood.

A dirty filter can cause several furnace issues:

It can restrict airflow, thus adding more strain on the equipment’s fan motor. Over time, it can lead to the part’s burnout. The heating system will either fail or overheat.
It forces the fan motor, which leads to higher energy consumption. Not only will it increase your utility bill significantly, but it will likewise cause system damage, which can also raise the repair bill.
The indoor air quality will be reduced drastically. When the quality of air indoors is poor, asthma, allergies and many illnesses are aggravated.
A dirty filter can distribute debris that can clog the heating system’s ductwork. If this happens, the life span of your furnace decreases significantly. You either will need to do major repairs or worse, replace the unit, which could strain your budget.

The frequency of changing the furnace filter varies. The standard schedule typically recommended by manufacturers is every three months, although this depends on the environment. Your furnace maintenance technician near you can recommend the best schedule.

Furnace filters come in different sizes and configurations. Spun fiberglass filters should be replaced once a month, while pleated disposable filters could be changed after three months. Electronic air cleaner filters should be cleaned monthly, while washable electrostatic filters need washing and rinsing every month.

Fischer Heating recommends that homeowners check their furnace filter monthly to see if there is debris or dirt trapped in it. If you own pets or there are smokers in the home, your filter will likely require more frequent changing than in other homes.

Another thing that needs regular inspection is the pilot light. It should be periodically checked to ensure that it is burning. There are furnace models where you can manually light it. The instructions for relighting the pilot light are usually posted on the furnace’s access door. Call a technician specializing in furnace maintenance near you if you find it difficult to follow the instructions.

Other things the homeowner can do, if you’re able:

Regularly lubricate the blower motor of the heating unit.
Inspect the burner to see if there is corrosion by first removing the flame shield.
Inspect the flue for dents or gaps. Ensure that it is properly venting outside your home.
See to it that the air registers are vacuumed regularly.
Remove rugs, drapes, and furniture that may block airflow from the air registers.

Benefits Of Regular Furnace Maintenance

Now that you know some maintenance tips, let us get down to the main issue – furnace maintenance and why it is essential, especially for households in the Seattle and Bellevue areas. You know the cold weather can be cold and wet; thus, it is critical that your furnace is ready and fully functional before winter. Having regular furnace maintenance can save you money and time. It will alleviate frustration at the time when you need heating the most.

The certified and licensed technicians from Fischer Heating will do a comprehensive diagnostic test to see to it that the heating system is operating efficiently and safely according to the specifications of the manufacturer.
Our technician does various tests, from a carbon monoxide safety test to checking that the furnace operates under a safe operating temperature. Our testing process requires that the technician verify the safe operation of your furnace through a multi-point safety checking procedure according to the furnace model and manufacturer recommendation.
Regular furnace maintenance improves the performance of your unit. It increases your energy savings, minimizes unit breakdowns, and extends the life span of the heating system.
You are ensured that your furnace will run efficiently as expected. Regular checkup allows the technician to spot possible issues and do the necessary repairs quickly.
Preventive maintenance safeguards your family’s health and keeps you comfortable. A furnace functions efficiently and exhausts all the gases formed during the heating process outside your home. Cracks in heat exchangers can lead to combustion gas leaks indoors. Regular furnace diagnostics can prevent this issue from happening.
Furnace manufacturers typically recommend that regular maintenance be performed on your heating system. Following this procedure can extend and/or validate the current warranty. Some furnace manufacturers deny or void the warranty if the homeowner fails to have their furnace maintained regularly by a licensed HVAC technician.

Contact Fischer Heating for any additional questions you may have, or give us a call today at 206-202-9499 to schedule a home energy audit.

Posted in Furnace Repair & Maintenance, Heating Services, HVAC Maintenance Tips