When to Inspect and Clean
Your furnace should be the subject of a yearly inspection by a professional. However, do not mistake an inspection with maintenance. Many inspectors will check and even tune the active components of your home furnace but they will not clean the furnace’s chimney. Furnace Chimney Cleaning should occur before your annual inspection and after cold weather has passed. Spring is the ideal time for cleaning your furnace, since the heating period will have largely passed and the furnace will be as dirty as it is likely to be for a few months.
Does a oil Furnace Chimney Cleaning need to be cleaned?
If you have an oil-fired furnace, not only should you have your furnace inspected every year, you also need to have the chimney inspected and cleaned annually, because oil’s by-products of combustion can be very volatile and corrosive. Spring or summer is the best time to have your oil chimney cleaned.
How do you know when it’s time to clean your chimney?
- ily Spots on the Walls of Your Fireplace.
- Poorly Burning Fires.
- Odors Coming from the Fireplace.
- Animals are Inside Your Chimney.
- Smoke Doesn’t Rise Up the Chimney.
- Fires are Difficult to Get Started.
- Chimney Soot is Falling from the Chimney.
How often should you clean an oil stove?
Your oil stove should be cleaned and checked twice per heating season and maintained by a professional every fall.
- Grease stains on the walls of your fireplace.
- Burning fires.
- The smells of the fireplace.
- The animals are in your fireplace.
- The smoke does not rise in the chimney.
- Fires are difficult to start.
- Soot falls from the chimney.
How do I clean the chimney of my oil stove?
Turn off your stove and then remove the components between you and the chimney. For most oil stoves, this involves removing a grate, Furnace Chimney Cleaning control and hatch directly into the base of the chimney. Use a flexible stick to rub your chimney sweep in and out of the fireplace in short strokes.
How do I maintain my oil heater?
Checklist in 7 steps for oil heater maintenance
- Turn off your stove.
- Remove carbon soot and other debris.
- Evaluate the flue.
- Replace the oil filter.
- Replace the air filter.
- Adjust the burner and test its efficiency.
- Clean any openings on the floor.
When Its Time to Call the Professionals
Despite maintenance, and especially with an older ac system, there will be times when you must call your professional heating and air conditioning company.
Here are a few situations that require a pro’s expertise:
AC or Heat Does Not Turn on at All
If the batteries in your thermostat are fresh, and there are no blown fuses or circuits in the house, call your pro immediately. This might be considered an emergency repair, depending on when it happens.
House is Generally Too Hot, or Too Cold
If you have changed your air filter regularly and still have this issue, Patel Blog your problem could be within the ductwork or your temperature sensor on the outside unit.
Odd Noises Coming From the Unit
This may not be a problem unless the noises grow worse, or if there is an accompanying temperature deficiency in the house. Keep track of these noises, and call your pro when they increase.
Bad Airflow
Weak airflow from the vents could be caused by low refrigerant or problems with the thermostat, and need immediate attention.
Leaks
If you see leaks or pools of water around the unit, which might be a sign that the coils on the outside unit have frozen up.
Your System Smells Odd
If there is an unexplained smell coming from the unit, which might be mold or leaking refrigerant.
Old Unit
If your system is 13-15 years old and requiring more and more repair, it is time to consult the pro to discuss a replacement. Make sure your HVAC pro is accessible 24/7, and if possible, find one that doesn’t charge extra for off-hours.
How Often Should AC Units Be Serviced?
The final answer: Furnace Chimney Cleaning once or twice a year, depending on how you use your HVAC unit. If you live in a hot climate, the more preventative maintenance, the better. For others in midwestern states, where heat and cooling are both important, ask your pro how often should air conditioning units be serviced, and see if they offer a maintenance contract.
If you live in the southwestern Pennsylvania/northern Delaware area, to schedule AC maintenance, heating services, and fuel oil delivery. We can help you extend the life of your HVAC units, so you are comfortable in your home all year long.
