Servicing Your Furnace
Regardless of the type of heating system you have, some maintenance procedures are universal:
Check the draft hood on the furnace for discoloration, soot, peeling paint, dust, etc.
Check the flue for deterioration. White marks or rust indicate condensation build-up, which leads to mold.
Check the chimney for blockage, broken mortar, crumbling bricks.
Keep your furnace motor oiled. Check the belt, which is inexpensive and easy to replace.
Safety Concerns:
If you see any standing water on the floor near your water heater, your water heater is trouble. Also check for low water in the site gauge, which could prevent the unit from firing properly.
Never store things near your water heater or furnace.
A pilot or burner with a yellow flame (indicating improper combustion) may require an adjustment by a contractor.
Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache; tightness in the chest; watering and burning eyes; weariness; weakness; dizziness; vomiting; loss of muscular control). Call for help if you experience any. Buy a CO detector to measure household levels of carbon monoxide.