Furnace maintenance helps your furnace operate safely and efficiently. Maintenance can keep your furnace from breaking down over a preventable problem. Plus, regular professional maintenance may be needed to maintain your warranty. Here are parts of your furnace that need to be checked by a professional when doing annual maintenance.

The Blower Motor And Fan

The blower needs to be clean so it can spin without obstructions. The furnace maintenance technician will probably need to scrub the squirrel cage to get dust out of the gaps between the blades. They can also visually check the capacitor and motor.

The maintenance technician may turn your furnace on so they can listen to the blower start up. Unusual sounds could indicate a problem with the capacitor or motor.

The Combustion Area

When the technician turns the furnace on, they'll listen to the start-up sequence that provides information about how well the furnace ignites and turns on the burners. They'll also make sure the furnace runs a normal amount of time and doesn't shut off too soon. A furnace that shuts off quickly could indicate a problem with the combustion process that needs to be identified.

The combustion area might need to be cleaned too. The technician can check the color of the flames to tell if the area is dirty. They'll probably check parts like the thermocouple, burners, and gas lines. They may check for a gas leak and look for cracks in the heat exchanger.

The Flue

The furnace maintenance technician also checks the flue since it's important that gases can escape up the flue and not accumulate in the furnace. If the flue has leaves or a nest stuck in it, it should be cleaned out so it's ready to work properly when winter arrives.

Electrical Connections

The wiring should be checked for tight connections. Plus, the thermostat and thermostat wiring should be checked visually and tested to make sure power is sent to the furnace to turn it on and off properly. Power is distributed to the parts by the control board in the furnace, so the control board may be inspected too.

Some parts may need to be lubricated, adjusted, or tightened. The door panels should be tightened so they don't vibrate or let dust inside. The inside of the furnace may need to be dusted or vacuumed so it's as clean as possible to start the heating season. Also, the furnace maintenance technician should check the furnace filter and change it if needed.

For more information about furnace maintenance, contact a local company.