Heating is a basic need when the air starts to feel chilly. It becomes an essential need when a snowstorm bears down on Toronto. So your furnace is the one crucial appliance you need to be in tip-top shape when the cold weather comes.
Keeping your furnace in top-notch form not only allows it to perform well during the coldest time of the year, but it will also help you save money on furnace service. Toronto residents like you don’t have to spend much on repairs, and you can even cut down on maintenance costs by following these tips:
Get an annual tune up for your furnace.
A yearly tune up creates multiple benefits. It will keep you and your family safe because the system check will detect early signs of defects. It will make sure your furnace unit runs efficiently so you will save money on your monthly utility bill.
An annual tune up will also ensure that the unit is getting sufficient airflow; without it, your furnace will have to work harder to achieve the desired temperature.
Keep your furnace clean.
Dirt will affect the blower, the filter system, and the motor. These are the three basic components you’ll need to clean. When your furnace gets dirty, it will waste fuel and it will run inefficiently.
Change the furnace belt.
Units that have blowers will have belts. If you have one, check your furnace’s belt when cleaning. Look for fraying or any damage at all. Find a replacement before the belt gets too worn out.
Replace the air filter regularly.
Cleaning the filter might not be enough to keep your furnace in good condition. A replacement may be in order regularly. Changing your furnace filter will keep it clean longer, and prevent the unit from breaking down.
Keep your furnace fuel from gelling or waxing.
When the furnace fuel gels or turns into wax, it will stick to the filter. Then you’ll have problems with the unit. Gelling or waxing occurs when temperatures dip. Prevent frozen furnace fuel by adding insulation to fuel lines located outdoors.
Lubricate the motor.
Most repair calls for furnaces are about dirty motors. Part of keeping it clean is lubricating it every year. Two or three drops of 10-weight non-detergent motor oil should do it.
This applies to units with covered oil ports. Motors that are permanently lubricated and sealed by the manufacturer may not need further lubrication.
Since your furnace runs on flammable substances, it’s essential to proceed with care when handling the appliance. Ideally, you’ll only want to work on your furnace when replacing the filter. Where other tasks are concerned, hiring a heating and cooling technician would be safer and more effective.