How Checking for Leaves Can Prevent Furnace Repairs
Your furnace relies on several things to run properly. It needs a good and consistent supply of fuel, of course, but it also needs to have a steady feed of air to keep flames burning at the right temperatures.
Your air intake is a critical resource for keeping your furnace running at optimal capacity. Without a proper air supply, your pilot light won’t burn hot enough and your furnace can be starved of oxygen that it critically needs. To that end, a big part of homeowner furnace maintenance consists of removing any potential blockages from the outside.
Read on for more thoughts on how checking for leaves can help you prevent furnace repairs in the future.
Risks of leaves on your HVAC cabinet
Blockages to your HVAC setup are risky for a number of reasons, and they tend to affect the outdoor cabinet portion of the system. The cabinet contains the condenser coil and the compressor, and it does a few things, including expelling latent heat that can accumulate on the interior of your home.
To do this, it relies on a relatively simple fan intake system. The fan will draw in cooler air from the outside of the cabinet and cycle it inside which, in turn, causes hot air to be blasted out of the cabinet. A furnace blockage, such as leaves, can cause the cabinet to malfunction because it can’t draw in the cool air that it needs.
Decreased efficiency
Another risk of not addressing a furnace blockage is that you’re going to see the efficiency of your unit take a clear and unmistakable hit. You’re also going to be hit at two ends: You’re going to see your utility bill climb up as the furnace hungrily sucks up fuel to try and keep up with its expected levels of performance, and you’re also going to see declining performance that makes for a colder and less efficient home.
The furnace won’t be able to overcome this decreased airflow—but it will certainly try to—and your wallet may wind up paying the price if you’re not on top of your furnace maintenance schedule.
How to keep things clear
Leaves and other natural debris like bird nests and sticks can obviously take a toll on your system if left unchecked. Fortunately, this is one type of furnace maintenance that’s a cinch to DIY.
First, don’t neglect your yard work, especially in the fall when many trees shed their leaves. These can easily pile up around your HVAC system’s outdoor components and cause the exact issues we’ve discussed here. Also, don’t just rake them into piles; instead, dispose of them properly so that they can’t just be blown right back into place. Next use compressed air on the interior of the cabinet to dislodge any debris within. Finally, trim back overhanging limbs that can oftentimes drop leaves straight into your system.
Keeping your HVAC system running efficiently can come down to some simple DIY, but there’s other furnace maintenance that you want to leave up to the pros. If you’re looking for a qualified company with a track record of seven years of service to repair your heating or cooling system or even install and maintain ductwork, then it’s time to call our team at JMB A/C & Heating LLC today.
Categorised in: HVAC Service