Here’s What to Inspect When Spring Cleaning Your Heating System

You may believe that your heating system doesn’t need attention during your spring cleaning routine. After all, you’re not going to be using it again until the fall. However, checking your heating system now will go a long way in ensuring there won’t be surprises in the future when it’s needed. Here are some things to inspect during a heating system spring cleaning.

Check the Thermostat

Since you’re going to be using the thermostat throughout the hot summer months, be sure to check it anyway to make sure it works well. Some symptoms of your thermostat having trouble include your HVAC system short-cycling and the thermostat being unresponsive or showing the wrong temperature. The solution might be as simple as replacing a battery, or it may require calling in an HVAC technician to troubleshoot.

Replace the Filters

Replace your filters every few months. Clogged filters make your HVAC system work too hard, which can not only raise your energy bills but shorten the system’s working life. You should also vacuum dust and debris out of the registers and vents and check or have an HVAC professional check the ductwork. Gaps, loose joints, clogs (including animal nests), and escaping insulation should be reported to a professional, who can then affect repairs.

Check the Components

Inspect your heating system’s components and note rust, corrosion, frayed wiring, and safeties clogged with soot. You might turn on the burner in an oil-powered furnace to make sure it doesn’t smoke or make weird noises such as squeals, screeches, or bangs. This might mean that the motor of the air blower might need oiling. If a gas furnace squeals or rumbles, this might mean that a belt is loose, there’s something amiss with the pilot light, or the burners are dirty. If an electric furnace doesn’t produce heat or doesn’t produce enough heat, there might be a problem with the heating element.

Check the Flame and Burners

When you turn on the flame in a gas heater, it should be strong and blue. If it’s yellow and weak, there are problems.

Inspect the Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger in your boiler or your furnace should be in good shape. If you see any sort of damage, you’ll need to call in an HVAC professional as soon as possible. A damaged heat exchanger can leak deadly, invisible, and odorless carbon monoxide into your home.

Call in a Professional Anyway

Though you can inspect your heating system yourself during your spring cleaning, it’s still a good idea to bring in an HVAC professional. A professional can find problems that a layperson can’t and fix them before they become large and expensive. If you have concerns or require heating repair services, contact LJ Kruse in Berkeley, CA.