Some basic maintenance can extend the life of components and keep your furnace on the job for many winters.

Cleaning will help the flame sensor, ignitor and blower motor work to their peak efficiency.

• A clean flame sensor will know if the burner is lighted. If it doesn’t detect a flame, it shuts down the gas for safety purposes.

However, a dirty flame sensor also may shut down the system for no good reason except it’s covered with dust and gunk.

• The ignitor, an electronic device, helps start most modern furnaces while a pilot light performs that function for older furnaces.

Pilot lights get dirty, which can make them erratic. A periodic cleaning will extend their efficiency.

Ignitors wear out over time, depending on usage.

• Cleaning the blower motor is necessary, as is lubricating the moving parts. Otherwise, heat won’t reach the rooms you want to keep warm. The blower motor moves the warm air through the duct system.

A technician will check these components and others during a furnace maintenance check to prepare your heating system for winter.

Furnace problems in Queens? Premier HVAC serves Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island.