Did you know that furnaces in California have different requirements to meet than in other areas of the country? If you live in California and have a furnace in your home, you want to be aware of the California furnace requirements ahead of investing in a new system for your home.
And once you have a new furnace, you definitely want to take care of it so it can last for a long time. You can keep reading to learn more about how to maintain your high-efficiency furnace. Then if you have any questions, you are welcome to give our team a call. We can help guide you on selecting a furnace that meets efficiency standards in California and then help you maintain it across its lifespan.
Homeowner Maintenance Tips
Air Filter
Just like any other HVAC system in your home, your furnace has an air filter. This filter is designed to capture particles of dust and dirt that travel through your home to prevent them from entering your furnace. Dust and dirt are bad for a few reasons. The first is that these particles are harmful to your family’s health.
But dust and dirt also pose risks for your furnace. These particles can get into the crevices of components that need to work together to produce heat. Over time, dust can dry up lubrication and cause components to grind and even wear down faster. Particles also gather around burners and igniters to contribute to soot buildup.
Thermostat
You may not think about your thermostat having much to do with your furnace, but it really does. Your thermostat is what signals your furnace to turn on and off at the appropriate times. If something is wrong with your thermostat, it can have a major impact on how your furnace operates. For example, if your thermostat is not reading the temperature accurately, it may signal for your furnace to stay on longer than it usually would.
Alternately, it may not signal for your furnace to turn on at the right times, resulting in your home feeling cooler than you would like. You can open up your thermostat to gently blow out any dust and dirt that have accumulated to see if that makes a difference. If not, you may need to have our team recalibrate or replace your thermostat. As the unit ages, it is completely normal to have to replace it with a newer model.
Igniters or Burners
Before each fall and winter season, you want to check the igniter or burners inside of your furnace. Keep in mind that you only want to complete this check when your furnace is completely turned off and cooled down, otherwise you risk getting burned.
Look for a buildup of soot around the igniter or burners that can indicate too much dust and dirt are in the system; or if you have a gas furnace, it can mean that too much gas is entering the chamber during the combustion process. You can wipe the surface is down, but if the residue continues coming back then you may have a larger problem that needs to be addressed.
Professional Maintenance
It is important to schedule professional maintenance for your furnace at least once per year with our team of expert technicians. The appointment gives our team a chance to check inside your furnace and identify any problems that are just beginning to develop.
Oftentimes, we can make tweaks to the components inside of your furnace, or replace small parts here and there to help ensure that your furnace is always working at its best and doesn’t have an opportunity to break down.
Contact RKM Heating and Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment with us. Done Right, Priced Right.