Do you rely on a furnace to keep the Illinois winter chills out of your home? Although furnaces provide wonderful home heating, not correctly maintaining your furnace may increase the risk of a fire. It makes considerable sense to keep your furnace running efficiently and it may also help avoid a furnace related claim being made against your Illinois home insurance. Here are some straightforward tips on how to keep your furnace running safely:
- Don’t be tempted to use your furnace closet for drying clothes or storing items.
- Regularly vacuum away dust, cobwebs or other debris on and around your furnace.
- Vacuum or brush permanent filters or replace disposable ones using the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check and vacuum if necessary all exhaust vents and air intake vents.
- Vacuum the blower motor for dust and lubricate if necessary.
- Check the flue for leaks or corrosion and ensure flue assembly joints remain secure or sealed properly.
- Check your thermostat is working correctly.
Once you’ve followed your furnace maintenance checklist, run your furnace through a cycle to ensure it is working correctly. Only check the parts of your furnace as recommended by your owner’s manual, for all other maintenance or repairs, contact an expert. Regular furnace inspections may help protect your home from fire and help lower the risk of a claim against your Illinois home insurance policy.
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