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6 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 • HOUSE TO HOME
Keep your furnace working efficiently
— but don’t skip professional service!
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Dear Jim: My furnace seems to be working properly, but I
want to keep it running at its highest efficiency. Are there
any simple furnace maintenance tasks I can regularly do
myself? — Karen H.
Dear Karen: A furnace, especially today’s
models with all the electronics, is a complicated
piece of equipment, but there are some
simple things you can do yourself to maintain
its efficiency. Your summer air-conditioning
costs will also be lower because it uses the
same air handler (blower) as the furnace.
If you decide to do some of the maintenance
yourself, don’t skip the regular professional
checkups. Many serious problems with a furnace
do not present any noticeable symptoms
so only a professional can detect them. Some
not only increase your utility bills, but can
be dangerous.
Check how much energy your house uses
from year to year. Compare the actual usage
of gas, oil, electricity, etc., not just the bills.
Also, factor in the variation in severity of the
weather from year to year. Energy usage for
lighting, water heating and appliances does
not vary much year to year.
Always check the safety items first for your
annual maintenance check. Drip some soapy
water on gas and propane line fittings. Look
for bubbles that indicate a leak. If you find a
leak of any type, leave immedately and call
your gas company. You will generally see and
smell a fuel oil leak.
Visually inspect the electric wire insulation
leading to the furnace, but do not touch it. If
you see any bad spots, switch off the circuit
breaker first before checking them more
carefully. Make sure to get all the circuit
breakers because an electric furnace uses
240-volt current.
With the electric power switched off, unscrew
and remove the side cover to gain
access to the blower. A clean blower moves
room air more efficiently and it helps keep
the heat exchanger surfaces clean. They also
transfer heat (and cooling during summer)
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
HERE’S HOW