Pensacola Beach, FL is not known for its harsh winters, but freezing temperatures may hit the area periodically. When it gets cold out, you’ll have to turn on your heating system for the first time to stay warm.
If you haven’t used your furnace in a while, it’s a good idea to get a furnace inspection. Regular furnace inspections from HVAC professionals can help keep your winters comfortable.
Keep reading to learn about getting a furnace inspection.
1. Change the Filters
Getting a furnace inspection in Pensacola Beach, FL is essential for the efficiency of your furnace.
If you don’t regularly change your filters, particles, dirt, and debris can build up and slow the airflow. Your furnace will have to work harder to reach your desired temperature, which can cause premature failure.
To avoid this problem, change your filter every 90 days if no pets are in your home. If you have pets, consider changing the filter every 60 days to avoid a buildup of pet dander.
If someone in your home suffers from bad allergies, change the filter more often, between every 30-45 days.
You should also have an HVAC technician confirm that the vents are clear. Furnace vents move gas away from your house through flue pipes.
The furnace air intake vent is located on the side of the home, with the return ducts placed in hallways, stairwells, and rooms. Vent blocks can make your unit inefficient by causing pressure imbalances and carbon monoxide buildup.
A furnace inspector can verify that ventilation is unobstructed without leaks, debris, and sloping. Pollen, mold, hair, leaves, and even small animals can get into your vents and cause these blockages as well.
You might notice you have a clogged vent if you see rust and water streaks on your furnace’s flue or vent.
When the flue pipe doesn’t work properly, exhaust gasses might build up in your home, causing dangerous carbon monoxide exposure.
2. Clean the Burners and Blower
Furnace burners should be removed and cleaned every so often. Dirty burners can prematurely age your furnace because of the buildup of soot and condensation.
When you hire professional Pensacola Beach HVAC services, a technician will clean the burners during an annual check-up. You can check them yourself about as often as you change your furnace filters.
To clean the burners, you need to turn off the furnace and shut off the gas valve. Remove the burners and wipe them down with a clean cloth or vacuum them.
Clean the flame sensor on your furnace at the same time by removing dirt with a cloth.
Your flame sensor houses the furnace flame. The color of the sparked flame determined how much oxygen the furnace was receiving. This area must be clean to ensure the system stays efficient.
You or your furnace professional should also remove and clean the blower motor. This is the component responsible for controlling the airflow of your system.
The performance of the blower’s run capacitor needs to be checked as well. This component works like a battery for the blower.
3. Check the Gas Line
Heating maintenance could be as simple as checking for leaks, odd sounds, and odors. A hissing sound or the smell of propane could be cause for concern. Turn off the main valve and call professional heating services right away.
Rattling noises don’t always indicate a huge problem, but you might want a technician to check your furnace just to be safe. Rattling noises might be due to loose panels.
Running a furnace with jostled panels can potentially cause your furnace to shut down. A front panel that doesn’t close could put your home at risk for unhealthy carbon monoxide exposure.
To avoid the dangers of a gas leak, it’s important to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detector. While these components aren’t part of the furnace, a furnace inspection is the ideal time to test them and replace batteries, if needed.
Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are at least 15 feet away from your furnace. Small amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) could trigger false alarms. Your furnace is likely to give off CO when it’s first starting up.
4. Check the Thermostat
Your thermostat should be checked during the inspection for functionality and accuracy. If you run into these issues, your thermostat might not be working properly:
- Furnace is not producing heat
- Vast temperature swings
- Furnace cycling on and off frequently
- Furnace runs non-stop
- Programmed settings keep getting deleted
- No response to changes in temperature settings
Check that there is no dust or debris on the thermostat and clean it off if there is. The most common reason a thermostat malfunctions is age. If your thermostat is old or outdated, replace it sooner than later.
A furnace inspector can figure out whether your thermostat or another furnace component is the problem. If your thermostat doesn’t need to be replaced, ask an HVAC technician to recalibrate it to reduce energy costs.
5. Flush Drains and Traps
An HVAC technician should flush the furnace drains and traps. They will also check for leaking water that could be a sign of these problems:
- Cracks
- Loose connections
- Holes within the condensate drain line
Most furnaces have two or more internal drains connected to the furnace trap. The drains are responsible for clearing the vent and heat exchanger.
Draining condensation is important to prevent accumulation that could stop your furnace from working. Flushing drain traps can also help you identify if your drain line has a clog.
It’s Time for a Furnace Inspection for Your Pensacola Beach Home
A furnace inspection for your Pensacola Beach home should be completed annually. These tips for a furnace inspection will help you maintain your furnace and know what to expect when a professional stops by.
It’s always best to hire a pro from All Seasons Service Network for a complete furnace inspection. We have years of experience handling safe inspections to ensure your heating system is working efficiently.
Our Pensacola Beach team is available 24/7 to handle all of your concerns. Request a free furnace inspection quote today.