How to Do Fall Furnace Maintenance

Richard checks for holes in the exhaust flue that could leak carbon monoxide, particularly where the pipe meets the furnace. Small holes can be patched with foil tape, but corroded flues must be replaced. He also adjusts the flue pipe's barometric damper, which moderates the chimney draw. "A big, tall chimney in an old house tends to suck too much air, compromising efficiency," he says. "Your service pro can weight the damper to lessen the draw.