Most homes in Ocean County have a furnace and most of them are gas furnaces. Although old gas furnaces were not known to be the most efficient appliances, newer gas furnaces boast much higher efficiency rates making them more attractive to homeowners. Additionally, the filter in your furnace helps to control the amount of airborne contaminates in your home. Oil furnaces are another common type of furnace found in our area. One advantage to an oil furnace is that they can last up to thirty years. Regardless of type, your furnace is one of the most important investments in your home. Furnaces of all types are expensive to install, repair, and replace. Thankfully, the common gas furnace is relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. So, with these maintenance care tips and some routine care by us, you can keep those Ocean County furnace repair bills to a minimum.

You may be thinking “I don’t know anything about furnaces. What can I do?” While we certainly don’t recommend attempting repair of any kind on your furnace unless you are trained to do so, there are some simple at-home tasks you can perform to keep your furnace running efficiently. The more efficient your furnace, the less wear and tear and therefore, the less need for repairs.

Proper Air Flow is a Crucial Component of Efficiency

For forced hot air systems, the ability to distribute the treated air through the ductwork and then out the vents is the key to its function. One thing you can do to ensure your furnace has sufficient air flow is to keep the area around your furnace clear of dirt, debris, and objects.  Never store anything in the area immediately around your furnace.

Also, be sure that there is nothing blocking your vents in any room. Furniture placed in front of a vent prevents airflow and this can decrease the efficacy of your furnace. Plus, it makes the furnace work harder than intended and that usually leads to higher utility bills and more frequent calls for Ocean County furnace repair.

Similarly, it is not true that if you close off rooms and vents that are not occupied it will save you money. Each heating system installed in a home is chosen according to the dimensions and needs of that particular home. A system that is forced to push the same amount of air through less pathways and into a much smaller area can put undue stress on your furnace. The best advice we can give is to let your unit function as it was designed to.  

One final item to check routinely is the air filter in your furnace. On average, the filter should be changed every three months. If you find that when you check your air filter after three months, it is fully clogged, you should change it more frequently. The filter must allow air to pass through it freely in order to do its job and to allow the furnace to adequately do its job.  If you ever need assistance finding or replacing your air filter, give us a call. We can walk you through it.

Professional Maintenance is Important

Even with the most meticulous care by a homeowner, nothing can replace a professional inspection. Our trained technicians will check and clean all parts of your system. During this process, they will be looking for damages or signs of corrosion. Repairing minor imperfections as soon as possible helps you avoid the need for emergency furnace repair. Ideally, you should schedule an annual checkup for your furnace prior to the onset of cold weather. This will all but guarantee a winter of repair-free usage.

In the case that you do need service for your furnace, contact us right away. We can help you determine if it is appropriate to repair the problem or if it may be time to replace your unit. Typically, a gas furnaces lifetime is about fifteen to twenty years. Some signs that it may better to replace your furnace rather than fix it are:

• The furnace is over 15 years old
• The furnace is unable to maintain the temperature set by the thermostat
• There are strange noises whenever the furnace is running
• You are calling us much more frequently for repairs

If any combination of these statements is true, we can help you decide on what is the best next step. In any case that you need our assistance with your furnace, you can contact us here!