5 Things You Should Do If You Have a Heater

5 Maintenance Tips for Your Heater

We know that some of you may be thinking that its Arizona; what on earth do you need a heater for? Well, as heating and cooling experts in Arizona, we are here to tell you that it does get cold here in the desert and that yes, we do use our heaters. And if you do have a heater, here are five things you should know to help maintain and extend the life of your heating unit.

1. Clean your furnace

It’s still cold outside and we highly recommend if you have not done so already is to clean your furnace. You can do this by first making sure it is completely shut off, and there should be a switch on the side of the furnace that will cut the electricity off to your machine. Once the electricity is off to your machine, you can take off the casing and vacuum out any dust or debris that may have built up over the last few months. Our licensed technicians see this problem a lot, especially in Arizona. As a side note, most home warranties will not cover a furnace breaking if the cause is due to the lack of cleaning the unit. You can also clean the blades of the blower by wiping them with a damp cloth, again ensuring the unit is first turned off.

2. Check for no obstructions or leaks

Since heaters produce carbon monoxide to heat your home, there is a possibility they could be leaking if not checked. Carbon monoxide is odorless, invisible, and if breathed in can be deadly. You can start your safety regime by regularly checking to make sure that no obstructions are blocking the unit’s vents.  Secondly, check to see if there are any cracks or leaks in your heat exchangers. The heat exchangers are the metal tubes that hold hot gasses and carbon monoxide, and these tubes are attached to a flue that is supposed to vent the gasses outside. So if there are any obstructions or cracks in your heater, it could be leaking carbon monoxide into your home instead of outside of your home which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Pro Tip: An easy way to check to see if your heater is leaking carbon monoxide is by using a carbon monoxide detector. If the detector shows that the furnace is leaking, immediately turn off the furnace and a call a professional. A professional team, like Heath’s Air, will be able to come out to repair or replace your unit.

3. Change your air filter

Check to see if your air filter looks dirty if it does change it out. A good rule to follow is to check and change your filter every 1-3 months. As stated before, it’s always a good idea to check and clean your furnace because dust can accumulate around the furnace and on the blower blades.

4. Is it a heating system or reverse air conditioning system?

Some ways you can check is by seeing if there is a reversing valve inside the condenser of the unit.  Another way is to turn on the heat, then go out to see if the unit is running. Finally, you can check to see if you have a heater is by going outside to that metal contraption with the fan and looking up the model number on the internet.

5. Regular Maintenance

At least once a year you should have trusted repairman take a look at your unit and give it a quick tune-up to ensure that it’s working correctly and efficiently. Our team will know your heating unit and have the information needed on how your particular unit works, and we will also be able to ensure you are saving money by checking to see if its energy is efficient.  A technician will also be able to give tips on what to look for when maintaining your unit in-between visits.

If you think that you just had a brand-new unit installed but are not 100% sure it was done correctly, we will come out for free and ensure everything is done right. We know that even if you follow the steps above things can go wrong, that’s why we at Heath’s Air will provide emergency services just in case it does.