How To

How to Maintain a Furnace

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(2 Ratings)

You can neglect many of your home's maintenance needs and only lose time and money, but neglecting your furnace can make your living conditions pretty miserable if it quits working during the winter and you have nowhere to go to keep warm. Fortunately, your furnace is very easy to maintain as explained in these steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

air filters
vacuum cleaner

Step 1

Change the air filter every 30 days while you're using your furnace. The filter is usually behind a panel that must be unscrewed. Buy enough filters to get you through the cold weather so you can replace them without making a trip to the store each time.
Step 2

Vacuum around the furnace and inside the unit as far as you are able. Don't disassemble the furnace to do this because doing so might be dangerous. A good time to do this is when you're changing the filter.
Step 3

Check all the vents in the house to make sure they're not obstructed by furniture, curtains or anything else and that they're clean. Anything you can clean out of the vents extends the life of your furnace.
Step 4

Have your furnace serviced every year before you start using it to heat your home. A qualified technician can safely remove the cover of the furnace and check the interior.

Tips & Warnings

If your furnace has a pilot light, ask the technician to show you how to light it if it goes out. If you have to relight your furnace frequently, have it serviced as you may have a more serious problem.
The best kinds of filters are disposable pleated filters and washable electrostatic filters. Electrostatic filters are washed rather than replaced, saving money in the long run.
Never store belongings near the furnace.

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