Older furnaces require more maintenance and attention than newer heating systems, which can mean adding steps to your usual upkeep. Thorough inspection of components, early repairs, and testing your circuits and electrical parts can help keep your old furnace in great shape.

Part Cleaning and Maintenance

As a furnace gets older, certain vital parts will start to fail or require maintenance to keep them working well. One example is the bearings on your furnace's blower motor wheel, which requires lubrication to keep them running smoothly. If they lose that lubrication, they could stop turning as easily, and end up scraping against metal, which can damage your whole motor. Another example is your flame sensor. If your flame sensor is dirty, it may fail to detect an active flame and will shut down your furnace as a safety precaution even if everything else is working fine.

You don't need a thorough parts inspection every single year, but if your furnace is at least five years old, it's helpful to make sure any potential problems are caught early. Replacing or fixing a single part is much easier and less expensive than fixing several damaged components.

Duct Inspections

After ducts are installed, they can typically be left alone for the most part. However, as they get older, they're more likely to start leaking air, and the insulation wrapped around them may start to lose its effectiveness.

Ducts don't need annual inspections, but it's useful to have them inspected every few years. This is especially important if you have had any kind of pest infestations where creatures got into your ducts, or if you smell any foul odors coming from your vents. If it has been several years since your ducts were installed or last inspected, it's time to have them looked at.

Electrical Inspections

A furnace takes a lot of power to run, and a proactive step to keep it in good working order is to have its electrical components inspected as it gets older.

The first important step is having the circuit itself tested. If you experience any issues like a breaker that trips repeatedly, this could point to a potential electrical issue that needs resolving. Electrical issues can both interfere with your furnace's operations and pose a safety risk, as electrical fires can cause plenty of damage.

The next step is to have your furnace's electrical parts inspected. These include your fuses, capacitors, switches, and other parts that control the flow of power to your furnace. While many of these parts are designed to last a while, they can also cause your whole furnace to shut down if they malfunction. While some of these parts can be easily replaced, it's best to have them inspected and taken care of by professionals.

If you need help or want more information, reach out to local heating services.