Home Heating Furnace Maintenance

Basically there are three types of furnaces,1] the he hot air furnace,2] the hot water furnace, and 3] the good old steam boiler. And on any of these furnaces, you will usually find, a gas or oil burner that produces the flames that makes heat inside the furnace. Furnaces come with any combination of gas or oil burners.

Each of these furnaces are maintained differently;

                                                 First they’re the Hot Air Furnace.

Hot air furnaces are reconigize by the tin metal ductwork connected to it.

All hot air furnaces have return air filters.

I‘ve notice to often that some homeowner and especially landlords don’t change their return air filter enough. Return air filters should be changed regularly in the winter months.

The amount of times you change your filters, depends mostly on homes environment.{dust ect}

But if you want to play it safe, change your filters once a month in the cold winter months.          

  The biggest problem I’ve notice about some homeowner’s hot air furnaces, are the missing cover that may be standing in the corner of the basement.

Please, if these cover are not on, please put them back on. By putting the covers back on you seal the unit to allow a better transfer of air.

                                               Next we have the the Steam Boiler:

Steam boilers are recognized by the sight glass on the front or side of the furnace.

{some people call all furnaces boilers. but the steam boiler is the only one that boils water.}

This is why the sight glass is there, so you can make sure, that the automatic water feed, is not putting to much water, back into your boiler. too much water in the boiler, and there will not be enough area to create steam.

We mention automatic water feed. This device is  normally near the sight glass and has a line on it to indicate the water level.

The steam automatic water feed {sometimes call the blow down valve or flush valve,}

should be flushed at lease once a week under normal winter conditions and every three days when extremely cold. Most of the times cut off the power while doing this, but every now and then do this with the boiler running. This tests it’s low water cut off action. the furnace should shut down temporarily and start back up.}

Note: low water cut off test are for well maintained and properly running boilers.

                                                                 Steam Radiators

When the steam is on it’s way up to the radiators, it will be blocked by air, in the pipes and in the raditors.To move this air out of it’s way, you have an steam air vent valve at the far end of your radiator. This steam air vent will let the air out, but not much steam. These air vents some times go bad. If you had heat there last year in that particular radiator, and none this year, chances are you have a bad air vent. However you can test most vents by turning them upside down and blowing in them. You should not be able to blow through it.

Remember to turn off the power before performing any work on your furnace. You can buy these steam radiator air vents at Whites Plumbing Supply or your local plumbing or heating supplier.

                                                        Hot Water Furnace

Hot water furnace differ from steam I the fact that hot water furnaces are filled with water though out the whole system, and heats the water to approximately 180º.While steam, of cause, heats at 212º.

Hot water furnace are recognizes by the circulator pump usually mounted on the side or front. Most of these pumps are sealed and don’t need any maintenance. But some of the older or larger pumps may have oil ports for seasonal lubrication. A few drops of 40 weight oil  at the beginning and middle of the season, is all you sure need to keep things running smoothly.

                                                         Hot Water Radiators

Hot water radiator from time to time have to be bled of it air. The amount of times you bleed your radiator mostly depends the installation and maintenance of your system.

The maintenance I am taking about are the air vents {sometimes call hyvents} on and about the furnace body.

If you have them, and some don't,} and if you see them leaking water, you should change your hot water air vent. Always turn power off first.

Any way, getting back to radiators, you should go to your local plumbing supplier and pick up a radiator bleeding key and bleed your radiator every year to be safe.