Prepare your Heating System for Winter
Fall arrives, cooler nights set in and homeowners are ready to turn their home furnaces on. Heating contractors are inundated with calls from homeowners eager to have their systems serviced months of dormancy. At the end of the summer season and before the rush it is ideal for homeowners to beat the winter rush by arranging a maintenance visit from your heating contractor. Thus you will avoid any unexpected surprises from your Heating System when you need it the most and of course then there may be a long wait for repair or replacement while you get a little chilly. Don’t become a victim of Murphy’s Law. Note: Hot Water Radiant heat will require a “Hydronic Heating” service person.
In order to keep things working smoothly there are many components in heating systems that require regular inspection by a licensed heating contractor. Typically, a heating specialist will check the heat exchanger, carbon monoxide levels, ignition system, fan, motor, bearings, belts, pumps, controls, exhaust, burners, pilot, thermostat, venting system and filters. They will make tune ups as needed and identify potential problem areas in order to ensure that your furnace is running safely and maximize the life of your heating system.
Throughout the year, homeowners should regularly replace the air filter on forced air furnaces and ensure areas around the furnace and return air grilles are clear of obstructions. I’m sure many of you use your mechanical room to dry and store your sporting equipment. I would recommend that you relocate your sporting equipment to avoid causing excess humidity in your mechanical room. Excess humidity can cause rust to develop on some furnace heat exchangers.
Install an Approved Carbon Monoxide Detector:
Every home should be equipped with an approved Carbon Monoxide Detector. While CO detectors are not a substitute for the care and maintenance of your heating system they are another line of defence against CO exposure in your home.CO detectors can warn you about any failure with fossil-fuel burning appliances.
Potential CO sources in the home could include:
• Improper venting of a furnace and cracked furnace heat exchangers.
• A chimney blocked by a nest, ice or other debris.
• Exhaust fumes seeping into your home from a car running in an attached garage.
• Using fuel-burning appliances designed for outdoor use (barbecues, camping stoves, lawnmowers and gas generators) in a closed area or by a window.
• Combustion gases spilling into a home if too much air is being consumed by a fireplace or exhausted by kitchen/bathroom fans in a tightly sealed home.
Carbon monoxide detectors should have the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) 6.19 standard or the Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) 2034 standard. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for further details regarding proper use and placement.
FURNACE TUNE-UP CHECKLIST
1. Clock and adjust input to the manufacturer’s rating plate specifications.
2. Confirm temperature rise across heat exchanger is within the manufacturer’s rating plate specifications.
3. Inspect and clean fan and air filter assembly.
4. Inspect filters or electronic air cleaner as applicable.
5. Inspect, adjust and clean pilot light and electronic ignition as applicable.
6. Visually inspect heat exchanger (if accessible), ensure the appropriate electronic inspection equipment is used to detect cracks.
7. Inspect, clean and adjust burners.
8. Check electrical controls wiring and controls.
9. Check proper operation of venting system.
10. Inspect thermostat – check heat anticipator at correct setting (as applicable)
11. Check condensate line/pump and secondary heat exchanger (as applicable)
12. Heat Pumps should also be inspected to insure adequate pressures, charges, and so on.
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