When winter snow and cold weather comes to Chicago, you want to make sure your furnace is in top shape or you could be left in the cold. Even if your furnace is in good shape when you start the season, it could fail or have problems once you begin to use it more heavily.
Below are some things you should do to ensure that your furnace or heating system runs smoothly throughout the winter as well as common troubleshooting for heating problems.
Perform Pre-Season Maintenance
The best way to prevent or reduce the chance of total furnace failure is to have a professional like Hobson Plumbing & Heating come out and do a thorough furnace and air duct check. Our skilled team can check your pilot light, if you have a gas furnace, along with your blower motors, and switches. At the same time, we can clean any filters and air ducts.
Make Sure The Switches And Motor Work
Periodically turn on your furnace’s switches after periods of non-use to ensure that your blower motors work properly. Be on the lookout for weird sounds and smells and contact us if you smell something burning, hear rattling, or even clunking. Do not use your furnace if you suspect that something is wrong with the motor.
Check The Filters Regularly
Even if you just had your filters checked during pre-season maintenance, give them a check off and on throughout the winter season. Heavy use, as well as pet hair and dust flowing through the system, can quickly clog the filters. These clogged filters restrict airflow and cause uneven heating.
Clear Your Vents
Check your furnace registers to make sure that you don’t have furniture, rugs, and other items blocking them. If too many registers are blocked or closed in your home it could create pressure problems that could damage your heating system. Constant hot air blowing is also not good for your rugs and furniture.
Learn Your Furnace Codes
Most modern thermostats have an indicator light that flashes a code whenever there is a problem. You count the number of flashes to find out the error code. Usually, this is a two-number code with one number flashing, then a pause, and the second number flashing. When you call for service, this code number, as well as your furnace’s brand name, is helpful information to give to the technician who can then diagnose and repair the unit quickly.
Furnace failure, especially during a cold winter storm, is a serious problem. If you see any signs of furnace trouble, contact Hobson Plumbing & Heating for a thorough inspection. At Hobson Plumbing & Heating, we have skilled technicians who will check your furnace and determine the cause of your furnace failure. We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our work. Contact us today if you need assistance.