The furnace is important equipment for those individuals living in parts of the country that get much cold especially during the winter season. Furnaces provide heat that keeps the home warm during the cold times. Furnaces are simple equipment that requires proper installation and maintenance to provide the required warmth when needed. During the old days that is ten years ago, electronics and furnaces were checked annually. But today electronics and furnaces do more work compared to the old days. Therefore, they need regular servicing. There exist key steps that technicians must do to ensure the furnace and boilers equipment are clean and always ready for work.
In the olden days when the service technicians were at work, they pulled out all the burners out and blew them with carbon dioxide and then inspected the heat exchangers to fix the cracks using the mirrors. Again, they vacuumed the dirt they found in the furnace vents. The technicians further replaced the thermocouple, cleansed the pilot assembly thus ensuring it burns clean, and well positioned on the thermocouple and the pilot runner.
The technicians further pulled the blower, greased the squirrel cage bearing, motor bearings, and inspected the belt for possible cracks. On the drive blowers, the technicians were required to oil the motor bearings. Oiling reduced friction on the moving motor parts, for instance, the metals. They moved to the next step after repairing the cracks and cleaning the blower thoroughly.
For highly qualified technicians to demonstrate their level of skills, they never forgot to check the most critical part of the furnace known as the limit switch. Limit switches are available in every electric, propane furnaces, oils, electric and broilers equipment. The switches primary function is to turn the equipment on and shut it off after functioning. In case the blower fails, the switches could help to turn and shut off the gas valves. The switch also played a central role in providing relief to the boilers, water heaters and electric devices from overheating and fire starts.
There are a variety of ways approved for checking and inspecting the limit switches. Better and qualified people for the job pulled the off the blower wire switch hence igniting the furnace burners. However, the furnaces could light up after reaching a temperature of about two hundred degrees, not only pulling the limit wire switch. The burners could shut off when the temperature is reduced to about 140 degrees, and they will never relight again.
Other professional technicians checked and lighted the blower limit switches by continuously rotating the dial located on the limit switch and blower setting until the burners they shut off by themselves. It is however enjoyable and practical to take off the wire off the switch limit and test. Through this way, the blower chances of failure are low.
Checking the flue pipe is the last and an important step while checking the limit switch. Checking the flue pipes ensures that the chimney has not been blocked by dirt such as soot and birds. Dead birds can be found at the pipe flue, and some birds have made an entrance to humans basements. Such incidences do not, however, occur at the new furnaces. The last and critical thing done was to check the gas leaks and fix them properly. This would avoid gas wastage hence minimize costs.
The recent furnaces for the last ten years to the present
The furnaces and boilers of the recent days need much attention just like the furnaces of the olden days. The modern furnaces most essential part that must be thoroughly inspected is the flame sensor. Today’s furnaces prettily watch themselves; therefore, they are not dirtied easily. This is because they are working in an enclosed environment. The circuit boards must run the gas valves, blower and the safety controls including the limit switches and the blower switches. The blowers must be sealed, and as such, they do not require greasing or oiling.
The time the furnaces and boilers should be checked and inspected
The time for checking and carrying out the required reparations much depends on the environment the furnaces and boilers are set and working. For instance, if the furnace is working in a dirty and dust-prone environment full of animal hair require checking in less than a year. On the other hand, if the furnaces are working in a clean environment, they can be inspected in 2 to 3 years. Therefore, it is evident that furnaces working in clean environments spend less money to carry out checkups and cleaning.
It is important not to forget that furnaces usually shut down while they develop the slightest fault. Technicians, however, tend to think that when furnaces shut down, it is time the homeowner should replace them. However, it is the mandate of the homeowner to decide when their furnaces and boilers should be replaced.
Replacing furnaces and boilers for convenience in working is a step that must be done regularly to mitigate damages. Technicians, therefore, must have the right knowledge for accurate furnace installation and maintenance. The working environment also matters the extent to which these equipment collect dirt. Checking the limit switches, flue pipes and motors are essential for proper furnace maintenance. Homeowners should, therefore, contact the right people with the right knowledge to carry out the maintenance and installation services.