A Quick Furnace Maintenance Checklist for Bozeman, MT, Homeowners

When it comes to furnace maintenance, there are several tasks to complete in the fall. Ideally, you’ll want to finish your maintenance tasks before you ignite the system for the first time in a season. This will ensure you can heat your home safely while conserving energy. If you’re unsure about the care your furnace needs, you can follow this brief checklist.

Start With Your Annual Furnace Inspection and Tune-Up

Every year, make sure your furnace maintenance plan starts with a professional HVAC tune-up. The service reverses most of the wear and tear damage from the previous year’s heating season. The furnace will provide peak performance and use less energy to heat your home. 

Test Your Thermostat for Accuracy

The next step in maintaining a furnace is to make sure your thermostat is working properly. After you replace the batteries, adjust the setting by a few degrees to trigger a heating cycle. If the furnace doesn’t start, your HVAC technician may have to calibrate or replace your thermostat.

Stock Up on Air Filters

Furnace tune-ups include changing the air filter, but this is still something you’ll have to keep up with throughout the heating season. Plan to change the air filter every 30 days. If you tend to forget about monthly filter changes, set an alert on your phone. 

Are Filter Changes Really Necessary?

Yes. Changing the air filter once a month promotes proper airflow. The system won’t use as much energy, and you’ll enjoy cleaner indoor air quality. In addition, frequent filter changes will prevent many common heating malfunctions. You’ll save on your monthly utility costs and extend the lifetime of your furnace.

Clean the Duct Registers and Vent Covers

When you schedule your furnace tune-up, determine whether you need duct cleaning services as well. Most homeowners only need this service every three years. If your home gathers excessive amounts of dust, you may need more frequent duct cleaning. Whether you need this extra service or not, you should still wipe down your registers and vent covers to promote smoother airflow.

Test Your Emergency Detection Devices

During a tune-up, your furnace maintenance company might replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Find out whether this is a service they provide. Otherwise, you should make a point to replace the batteries in all of these devices. Test each one to make sure it’s operating properly.

Is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous to People?

Yes, carbon monoxide causes a wide range of health problems. It blocks the oxygen in the blood supply, preventing it from reaching vital organs. This can lead to a variety of medical conditions that include respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, and nervous system damage. This is why every home with a furnace should also have functional carbon monoxide detectors.

Don’t Put Off Furnace Maintenance

When you work with Premier Systems, we’ll provide a comprehensive furnace tune-up and inspection. Our maintenance services cover every part of your heating system to ensure you can heat your home safely and efficiently. We also provide furnace repairs to help you stay warm all winter. Contact us to schedule service today!