With the winter fast approaching in Minnesota, it won’t be long before we’re all bundled up in heavy blankets and sweaters. And now’s the best time for a fall furnace checkup. While some of these steps can be taken by a tech-savvy homeowner, you should find a reliable HVAC contractor to do most of it. You’ll feel more secure in knowing you’ll have safe and reliable heat throughout the winter.
Some of the steps taken during a fall furnace checkup include:
- Turn off the power – Before any type of fall furnace checkup, the technician will turn off both the electrical
power and fuel supply.
- Clean out the combustion chamber – If soot collects inside, the chamber may rot. The technician will scrape out any buildup with a wire brush, extract any loose material using an industrial shop vacuum, and check for corrosion or holes.
- Inspect the flue pipe – Check for holes all along the flue. If the technician finds small ones, he will use foil tape to patch them up. For larger holes caused by corrosion, the best plan of action is to replace the flue pipe entirely.
- Replace the air filter – The air filter should be checked monthly during the heating season, and changed when dirty. A clean air filter is essential for system efficiency and good indoor air quality.
If you would like further assistance with your fall furnace checkup, or for general questions regarding home comfort, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We have been serving the HVAC needs of the Twin Cities metro area since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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