Prepping Your Furnace for Colder Weather

As the temperatures cool down, you may find yourself ready to switch your HVAC system over to heat; but, does your furnace or heat pump have the care it needs to work? Fall is the perfect time to get your heating system ready with expert tune-ups. Learn more here about preparing your furnace for the colder weather. 

The Importance of Proper Furnace Care

Many homes in Sacramento rely on furnace systems for heat in the winter. This is because they are built to rely on natural gas, and furnace systems are incredibly affordable to operate; however, furnaces require professional care to work safely, efficiently, and effectively. Otherwise, your furnace can quickly become a safety hazard. 

Furnace care can also extend the lifespan of your system, help it run more efficiently, and help your system work effectively to keep your home comfortable. Here is a closer look at the expert care your furnace needs each fall.

Check for Gas Line Leaks

If you have a gas furnace, gas line leaks present one of the most significant concerns for homeowners. In addition to the high bills you will face, the natural gas they release into your home can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, coordination loss, fatigue, and shortness of breath. During your annual furnace inspection, a professional will check for any gas leaks. For more information, you can read our full guide to gas line leaks here. 

Inspect and Clean Burners

Your furnace burners are where the oxygen intake mixes with furnace fuel. This produces the heat that is then distributed throughout your home. Over time, your burners can build up rust, dirt, and other contaminants. This will prevent fuel from seamlessly flowing from one burner to the next, causing your system to work inefficiently and ineffectively. 

Furnace debris can also enter your airflow distribution, impacting your air quality. Prolonged burner buildup may cause furnace issues, requiring extensive repairs or system replacements. Regular inspections and necessary burner cleanings can help protect your furnace and your home. 

Inspection of Furnace Venting

The furnace combustion process can create harmful gases, which must safely vent from your unit. Improper venting can damage your furnace while presenting health risks, like carbon monoxide poisoning. During a thorough venting check, a technician will ensure that your furnace safely carries combustion gases away from your home.

Check Manifold Pressure

Your furnace’s manifold pressure is the rate at which gas is pumped into your furnace burners. Your ideal gas pressure depends on your unit, but it is important that your manifold pressure not be too high or too low.

• High manifold pressure: Too much pressure leads to an increase in the gas your furnace is receiving. This can cause furnace overheating and internal damage. 
• Low manifold pressure: Too little pressure can impact your furnace efficiency and effectiveness. Low manifold pressure can also lead to extra air in your air/fuel mixture, which allows condensation inside of your furnace. Lingering condensation can cause rust and corrosion inside of your heat exchanger. 

By checking your manifold pressure, an expert can ensure that your furnace is working safely, efficiently, and effectively. 

Inspection of Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger carries warm air upwards and into your home. This part also keeps toxic fumes from entering your air supply, which makes them vital to furnace safety. The problem here is that heat exchangers are long, winding, and tube-like in structure, which can make them difficult to inspect. Using specialty equipment, an expert can complete a video inspection of your heat exchanger to ensure that it does not have any cracks or corrosion that may compromise your safety. 

Checking Temperature Splits and Part Conditions

How do you know that your furnace is working properly? The industry standard in checking any HVAC function is temperature split tests. Temperature splits are the difference between the temperature of your air input versus your air output. The lower the split, the less heat your furnace is producing. An expert will use this test to ensure that your system is creating an effective difference between these two readings. Your technician will also inspect the overall condition of your furnace parts, checking for corrosion, buildup, or damage. 

Heat Pump Tune-Up

Bonney also extends expert service to Sacramento buildings with heat pumps. These systems are commonly used by homes and businesses that do not run on natural gas. The services performed during a heat pump tune-up are similar to air-conditioning tune-up services. 

Heater Tune-Up from Bonney

When you are ready to give your heating system the care it needs, contact the experts at Bonney. Our professionals will ensure that your HVAC system is ready to work all season long. Make your appointment with our Sacramento-area heater experts today to get started!