Did you know that broken furnaces contribute to many property insurance claims each year? If your broken furnace dies or isn’t properly operating in cold weather, your home’s temperature can drop and cause frozen or burst pipes, resulting in damage. Keeping your furnace in good repair can save you money over the long term and protect your home.

Types of Furnaces in Alberta’s Homes

Most Albertans have forced-air central furnaces heating their homes. These work by heating air and blowing it through ducts throughout the home. Different fuels heat the air, including:

• Electric – Very efficient, quiet and small furnaces; they’re cheaper to install but the cost of electricity can be higher than other fuels.
• Natural Gas – The most popular fuel for furnaces in Alberta as natural gas is relatively cheap and plentiful.
• Propane – A less popular alternative to natural gas.
• Oil – Found more in rural Alberta; oil is more expensive and requires a storage tank, but oil furnaces can last longer if well maintained.

Boiler furnaces are very similar to forced-air furnaces except they circulate water through radiators rather than air through ducts.

Maintenance Schedule for Furnaces in Alberta Homes

Regular maintenance helps ensure your furnace is running properly and can extend its lifetime. Not only will this help keep you warm during cold spells, but it will also save you money on utility bills and repairs.
Here are regular maintenance tasks you should carry out:

• Ensure all vents in your home are open and not blocked by furniture or other items. Keep these openings clean and clear (you can vacuum them if they’re dusty).
• Replace your furnace filter every 30 to 90 days.
  • Pleated or polyester filters can be replaced every 90 days, unless you smoke in the house or have pets – replace it every 30 days if this is the case.
  • Fiberglass filters should be changed monthly.
  • If you have a permanent or re-usable filter, follow the manufacturer instructions to clean it.
• Use the correct size of filter, as the wrong size will reduce filtration and cause the filter to get dirty more quickly.
• Dirty filters can limit airflow, put strain on the blower motor and reduce filtration.

Common Issues with Furnaces in Alberta

Here are some indicators when there is an issue with your furnace and what to do about them:

• The blower motor keeps running – turn the thermostat down slightly and make sure it isn’t set to continuous fan. If the problem persists, call a professional.
• Clicking, grinding, popping or squealing noises – usually indicate a bigger problem and you should get a professional out to take a look.

Address these issues before your furnace fails! Increased dust and humidity, inefficient heating, and the production of carbon monoxide can be the result of ignoring issues with your home’s furnace. If your home gets too cold, it can also cause pipes to freeze and burst.
If you aren’t comfortable doing the maintenance yourself, hire a professional to take care of it.