Energy Products & Services
Maintaining Your Heating System
To keep your heating system in proper working condition, consider
having your furnace inspected annually, ideally before the heating
season begins. Call your local contractor or Consumers Energy to
schedule an inspection in late summer or early fall. For safety
reasons, never make your own repairs on heating equipment or other
natural gas appliances.
Here are some tasks you may be able to perform yourself:
For activities involving direct contact with your heating system,
please remember to turn off the electrical power beforehand.
- Clean or replace the air filter regularly. Filters reduce the
amount of dust and dirt that flow through your ductwork and into
your home. A clogged or dirty filter can restrict proper airflow
and force your furnace to work harder.
- Check your furnace for dust and lint. Remove the dust and lint
from the burner compartment at least once a year.
- Check the chimney for obstructions. Make sure your chimney is
not blocked by debris such as birds' nests, leaves, loose mortar
or dirt. Consider having a professional chimney sweeper inspect
and clean your chimney. Obstructions can prevent flue gases from
venting properly.
- Inspect flue pipes. Also inspect the flue pipes from the heating
system and water heater to make sure they are free of rust and
tightly sealed. Do not attempt to patch openings. Call a licensed
contractor to have a new vent pipe installed immediately.
- Check your ductwork for air leaks, especially at joints. Repair
air leaks with duct tape. Ducts should also be insulated in unheated
areas, such as basements and crawlspaces. Wrap batt insulation
around the ducts and seal with duct tape.
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