Four Things Every Toronto Homeowner Should Know about Furnaces

Furnaces are not usually the top of dinner conversations.  In fact, you probably don’t think much about them until yours goes caput.  Often this is why they break down, but there are some things you should understand so that you can keep your furnace in tip top shape at all times.

1. Change the filter once a month. The filters are probably one of the most neglected parts of furnaces even though they are one of the easiest parts to deal with!  It’s too easy to forget about that filter, but you can actually cut your heating costs and keep your family safe from germs and allergens by replacing or cleaning your filters every single month.
2. Keep an eye on the belts inside your furnace. About once a year before you get into the cold winter season, homeowners should be checking the belts inside their furnaces.  If you see one that’s about to wear through, it’s time to call a professional and get it replaced.  This will prevent you from having to live through the cold while you wait for it to be fixed later.
3. Duct leaks are one of the most common causes of heat loss. If you know you’re losing heat somewhere, it may not be the furnace’s fault.  You should have a professional check your ductwork regularly so that any leaks can be repaired quickly.
4. Keep flammable liquids away from the furnace. Often the heating unit is located in a storage area, so it’s not uncommon to stash all kinds of things in the same space.  Also you may not always think of certain things as being flammable.  Household cleaners and swimming pool chemicals are two items many homeowners forget to include on that list of flammables.  It helps to create a separate storage area for these items that is nowhere near the heater.

Most furnaces will allow you to change the filter without having to shut off the power to it, but any work beyond that will require that you turn off the power to it.  Shut off the gas and/or the electrical breaker before touching anything on the interior of the unit.

Spring Home HVAC will take care of all the problems with Toronto furnaces.  Their technicians will help you in an emergency and help you avert disaster by taking care of all your regular maintenance needs.