Checking the air filter is an obvious place to start with your furnace checkup. The heat exchanger that heats up the air to warm your home needs to have a sufficient supply of air, and if that flow is being impeded by a dirty air filter your furnace will not be working efficiently and your monthly bills will end up being higher. You also want the air that is circulating in your home to be as clean as it can be, and with a dirty air filter that will not be the case.

A number of things need to be looked at when it comes to the blower of the furnace. The motor shaft will typically have lubrication ports located near each end of the shaft. A light motor oil of high quality should be inserted into each port. People are not advised to use spray lubricants inside a furnace for two reasons. First, the lubricant will attract dust and dirt and cause a messy buildup. Secondly, once the fan begins to operate the smell of that lubricant will be sent all over the house and will last for some time. You will need to check out the belts as well. To ensure you have the proper tension on the belt, press down in the middle of the open span. The belt should move about an inch or so when you apply pressure. Also be sure to notice if the belt looks frayed or worn. If that is the case the belt will need to be removed and replaced.

There are two more things that need to be checked out. One is to see if the pilot light is out for some reason. Most people leave their pilot lights lit all year long, so normally they do not get extinguished. If yours has gone out, however, assuming your system has one, then you have two choices. You can either relight the pilot flame yourself or call for service. If you have experience relighting pilots and know what to do, this is fairly simple. If you do not you might be best advised to call a technician because a match will need to be lit right next to a gas line. Another easy thing to do that will be worthwhile in the long run is to simply vacuum the area around the furnace and keep that clean. Dirt can build up there because furnaces are often installed in areas of the home that are not normally accessible and normally don’t get regular cleaning.