In most homes in North America, unless you live in a warm, sunny part, you will find three types of furnace systems, the conventional furnace, mid- efficiency furnace, and high-efficiency furnace. With some homes, you will also find a wood furnace or an outdoor wood furnace. Here are a few tips on maintaining your furnace throughout the year. If you have a forced-air gas furnace, there is a thermostatically-controlled gas control valve that feeds through a manifold to a series of burner tubes. Your furnace ignites by an electric spark or constant-flame pilot ignition system. The furnace blower then heats and circulates the air that was warmed in the heat exchanger above the burners.

It is important that the air is warmed inside the exchanger without allowing any deadly carbon monoxide, that is usually odorless into the supply ducts. You will find that on most models of blower and burner chambers, there are individual access panels or a single large panel. The operation of your furnace is regulated by the gas control valve, a remote thermostat and ignition system. In addition to having a technician service your furnace is important to not store anything around it, no flammables near it. Keep the air filter clean, make sure the gas burners have a clean blue flame, and that there are no unusual sounds when it starts or runs. Make sure that there are no leaks coming from it or unusual odors and that the thermostat is functioning properly. If you have electric radiant heat, it is still a good idea to follow similar safety precautions.

Here are some of the tasks performed by a licensed heating technician. They check for hazardous debris in the chimney or flue, safety test for carbon monoxide, ensure the furnace filter is cleaned and reinstalled, check the operation of your thermostat and its safety controls, clean the motor and fan, check blower operation, and check the gas pilot safety system, cleaning it as well, if required. All belts are checked for condition and tension and any necessary adjustments made. The burners are cleaned and set for proper combustion and ignition, and the gas piping is checked as well. Remember to have your furnace overhauled once a year to ensure good clean and safe operation.

By Terry Price

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