The furnace is such a pivotal appliance in your household to maintain, as it brings warm air in to keep your home comfortable during cold days of the year. If you take these maintenance steps, you can keep it working great and avoid costly repairs at the same time.

Change the Air Filter Periodically 

The air filter is such an important component for your furnace. It collects dirt and debris to prevent them from affecting your furnace in any way. Unfortunately, this filter will not work great forever. There will be a time when it gets too dirty, which warrants a replacement.

Get in the habit of physically checking this filter every couple of months. If both sides are covered in dirt, dust, and other debris, you'll need to set up a new filter in the housing unit. There are many quality options today. Just make sure the replacement you select has the right dimensions to fit perfectly in the housing unit.

Keep the Area Around the Furnace Clean 

It's important to keep the area around your home's furnace clean, because if dirt and debris start collecting, your furnace could overheat and also not last as long. What you'll need to do is inspect this area for dirt regularly. 

If it's starting to build up around the unit, use a portable vacuum to clean the area. If you're having trouble removing certain residues, you may need to get a wire brush and some commercial cleaner. Scrub until the outside unit is completely clean. These simple steps can help you avoid expensive part repairs/replacements.

Have the System Professionally Tuned Up

No matter what type of furnace model you have, it's smart to have the system professionally tuned up. A licensed furnace repair technician will take care of this tuning and handle any issues you may have overlooked. For example, the air ducts connected to your furnace may be extremely dirty. A technician can quickly clean them so that your furnace doesn't have to work harder than it has to. 

This technician will also inspect other important furnace parts, including the blower motor, air vents, igniter, pilot light, and burners. If any major issues are present, the technician will make a thorough report detailing what needs to be done to prevent more significant issues from occurring.

As the days start getting colder, you need to put more time and attention on the furnace. Make sure you care for it and its components regularly so that you don't have to spend a fortune on repairs every year.