When the cold weather in Jacksonville, Florida, begins to move in, it is important to ensure that your furnace is ready to run. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of winter without any heat. Here you will find five things you need to know about maintaining your furnace during the cold weather.
1. Ensure you have a clean air filter installed in your furnace. This is one of the easiest and most important ways to maintain your furnace. If your furnace filter is dirty and clogged up, it will slow down the flow of air and will make your furnace work harder than it should to keep your home at the temperature you have it set at. A clean filter will trap any dust or dirt in it ensuring that it does not get into your system and helps your furnace run smoothly.
2. Make sure that your thermostat is working properly. The thermostat is what will tell your furnace to turn on when the temperature gets below the mark you have it set at. If it is not working properly, the furnace will not turn on when it should or it may have the furnace run longer than it needs to make it warmer than you want it.
3. Check the heat exchanger for cracks. Furnaces are built to last, but with the consistent expansion and contracting of the metal, a crack could occur. If this happens, some of the gases of combustion, which include carbon dioxide, could leak out into the home.
4. Inspect the ductwork for leaks. If there are any leaks within your ductwork, warm air will be escaping out. This will cause your furnace to work harder in order to achieve the temperature that you have set. By sealing up the leaks, your furnace will be more efficient at keeping you warm.
5. Ensure the blower assembly is clean and free of any debris and dust. If the blower assembly is not cleaned it could cause various levels of damage. This could include the heat not being pushed into your home as it should be to the motor burning out from working too hard.
Keep these five things in mind when you are preparing for winter in Jacksonville, Florida. These things are important in order to keep your furnace running it’s best and keeping you warm inside when it is cold outside.
