A furnace heats air and sends it through the house, using ducts that distribute the air to vents.Boilers heat water, and provide either hot water or steam. Steam is sent through pipes to steam radiators. Hot water is distributed through baseboard radiators or radiant floor systems.

Furnace maintenance is almost the same as air conditioning maintenance, with a few minor differences. It is best to have an HVAC technician do this for you if you are unsure what to do. They are generally inexpensive, and are well worth the price, to make sure that your system will work at its best for you.

Furnace Maintenance Tips
1. Turn on the heater a few days before the cold sets in, to make sure there are no problems.  Keep in mind that it is normal for them to have an odd odor during the first few minutes they are turned on.

2. Make sure the pilot light has a blue flame. Any other color means there could be a problem.

3. Remember to change your filters at least once a year.

4. Keep the area around the registers clear. It will make your heating system work more efficiently.

5. Keep the unit free of excess stuff.

6. Have your system serviced once a year by a reliable HVAC contractor.

Boiler Maintenance Tips
It is harder to maintain a boiler, because each system is done individually. There are only a few general tips for boilers. The following tips are from the Energy Star library of articles, which is very informative and allows you to read about numerous HVAC topics for your home.

1. Oil the pump to allow for easy operation and to keep the motor from overheating.

2. Remove dirt and grime from the pump to ensure efficient heat transfer.

3. Open valves to release pockets of air. When the water flows steadily, all the air is out.

4. After releasing the air, check the temperature/pressure gauge(s) and keep the boiler’s water level the same.

5. Check the expansion tank, to make sure the air and water levels will allow room for expansion.

6. Have your system serviced once a year by a reliable HVAC contractor.

Because of the difficulty of boiler maintenance, it is advised that unless you have been educated fully on your model, you call an HVAC professional to do the maintenance for you.

If you need help with your water heater or boiler, give us a call. Denver, CO and the entire Denver metro area, including Aurora, CO, Morrison, CO, Evergreen, CO, Broomfield, CO, Arvada, CO, Northglenn, CO, and Commerce City, CO.

(Article excerpt and image from Furnace and Boiler Maintenance.)