Here are some ideas and steps you can take to help you ensure your heater is working optimally. Proper heating maintenance will save you aggravation and money.
Each fall, replace the furnaces filter. This is something as basic and necessary as changing the oil in your car. A clogged filter will make the furnace work harder, be less efficient and more expensive, and can also shorten the life of the unit. Unfortunately many homeowners do not do this simple maintenance nearly often enough.
If you think you are not getting enough heat, particularly in certain rooms, make sure there is no furniture or drapes clogging the heating vents. Clogged or compromised vents will not let the heat get to all the places it should.
We are in winter now, but next year, before the first cold spell, turn the heater and on and make sure it runs. Do not wait until winter. If there is no heat is coming out of the furnace you may want to call in a heating professional and get the problem diagnosed before winter.
However, before you do this, check the pilot light and make sure that it has not gone out. If it has gone out, see our section on “pilot light is out” and how to rekindle it. If the pilot light is on, it should be blue in color. If it is yellow or orange, that is a likely a sign of trouble and we suggest you call in a professional.