As the temperature dips and you find yourself reaching for the thermostat more frequently, you should also reach for your phone to arrange annual furnace maintenance. Being sure that your furnace operates at peak efficiency this winter enhances your comfort, safety and peace of mind all season long.
Here’s a closer look at what this crucial yearly task entails and why you shouldn’t neglect it.
What Is Included in Annual Furnace Maintenance?
A maintenance appointment is a reliable way to get your heating system up to par. Although the particular tasks depend on the design and age of your furnace, you can generally expect your technician to do the following:
- Inspect and clean the burner: Over the years, dirt and debris can block the burner, affecting its performance. Cleaning it maintains ideal heat transfer.
- Test the gas valves: Making sure these valves are totally open and performing correctly is crucial for safe furnace operation.
- Check the heat exchanger: A cracked heat exchanger can lead to carbon monoxide leaks, so it’s important to check that no cracks are present.
- Review and tighten electrical components: Loose connections can make your system unsafe and inefficient. The good thing is, tightening them is a fast and straightforward job.
- Clean the blower: A grimy blower has an effect on your furnace’s ability to circulate warm air around your home. Cleaning and balancing the fan assures appropriate airflow.
- Swap out the air filter: Clean air filters enable proper airflow throughout your system, which is why you should always replace a dirty air filter in your furnace. Installing a clean, new air filter also increases indoor air quality if you install an efficient enough filtration system.
Why It's Helpful to Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance
If your furnace seems to be running fine, is it still worthwhile to arrange a maintenance visit? :
- Lower the chance of mid-season failures: There are few more disheartening ways to start the day than waking up on a chilly winter morning to learn your furnace has stopped working. Mid-season breakdowns are aggravating and can leave you scrambling to find someone to fix it. Annual furnace maintenance reduces the likelihood of unexpected issues because your heating specialist looks over every part of your system, catching minor issues before they grow into costly repairs.
- Lower repair costs: It’s a simple equation—the sooner you find a problem, the less expensive it is to correct. By investing in affordable, predictable maintenance visits, you can avoid high-priced, inconvenient repairs, keeping more money in your pocket.
- Maximize your furnace’s life span: Like a well-maintained car, a furnace that receives Regular tune-ups will probably last longer than an unattended heating system. Annual maintenance saves you the expense of early furnace replacement by lengthening your system’s life span.
- Increase energy efficiency: A well-maintained heating system operates smoothly and efficiently. When all the components are clean and in good working order, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your household cozy. This lowers your heating bills and diminishes your environmental impact.
- Better indoor air quality: Polluted indoor air aggravates allergies and respiratory diseases. The air filter in your furnace collects dust, pollen and other airborne particles to reduce these conditions. During a maintenance visit, the technician will change the air filter at your request, ensuring cleaner air flows through your home.
- Increases safety: A furnace that needs repair is not only inefficient, it's also potentially dangerous. Cracked heat exchangers or defective gas valves can cause hazardous carbon monoxide leaks. Knowing your system has has received a thorough examination during routine maintenance should give you a secure feeling this winter.
What Time of Year Should You Set up Your Maintenance Visit?
To reap the most benefits, it’s best to plan annual furnace maintenance in the fall before winter’s chill arrives. This gives you time to make sure any issues are resolved before you have to call heavily on your heating system.
At-Home Furnace Maintenance Between Appointments
Though professional maintenance is essential, you can do several tasks yourself to make sure your furnace operates smoothly between visits:
- Replace the air filter every 30 to 90 days to increase airflow.
- Make sure all of your return and supply registers are open and unobstructed for system balance.
- Vacuum the exterior of the furnace with the brush attachment so it is clean.
Choose Service Experts for Furnace Maintenance in the U.S
If it’s time for your next furnace maintenance visit, Service Experts is an HVAC company you can trust. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, long-lasting solutions to all your heating and cooling dilemmas. We’re proud to deliver solutions to our community and strive to make a significant difference in your life and sense of comfort. We even offer a Service Experts Guarantee for your peace of mind. To set your heating system up for success this winter, call (866) 963-7996 today to schedule furnace maintenance with Service Experts.
