Regular maintenance on your furnace is a necessary part of home ownership. In addition to providing you with reliable heat and energy efficiency, an annual service can also ensure that your system won’t need more costly repairs in the future.
A licensed professional should inspect furnaces periodically for optimal performance, safety, and comfort levels. Depending on the age and condition of the system, most manufacturers recommend an annual inspection at least. This can help to identify wear and tear before major components start to fail, helping you avoid costly downtime or emergency repairs.
Annual Furnace Maintenance
Making sure your furnace is serviced regularly can ensure its long-term efficiency, safety, and reliability. To ensure your unit operates at peak performance year-round, it’s a good idea to have annual maintenance performed.
During an annual maintenance visit, the technician will inspect and clean the unit, check all electrical connections, lubricate any necessary parts, adjust fan belts and verify proper air intake. He or she will also check all safety features such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors to make sure they’re working properly.
In addition to helping you avoid costly repairs and breakdowns in the future, regular furnace maintenance can help you save money on monthly utility bills. A well-maintained unit is more energy efficient than one that has not been serviced in a while.
Signs You Need Furnace Service
It’s important to watch out for signs of trouble so you can get your unit serviced before it fails entirely. Some common signs that you may need furnace service are listed below.
-Your furnace is making strange noises such as loud creaking or banging
-The unit seems to blow air that is too cold or too warm
-Your routine monthly energy bills are unusually higher than usual
-The flame in the pilot light turns yellow instead of blue
-The circulation fan isn’t working as well as it did before
-You’re experiencing more allergy symptoms than usual in your home
-There’s visible rust forming around the components of the unit
-Your burners aren’t properly ignited
-There’s a decrease in airflow from the vents
What Does Furnace Maintenance Involve?
Maintenance helps to reduce energy costs as an efficient unit uses less fuel. So what exactly does furnace maintenance involve?
Cleaning and Inspection
During the inspection, the technician will check for any loose components, corroded connections, and faulty wiring. All parts of the furnace should be checked, including the blower motor, flame operation, and heat exchanger. The technician will also check for any visible dirt or clogs in the different parts.
The technician may recommend a more thorough cleaning process to ensure optimal performance of the unit. If certain parts show wear or damage due to age or malfunctioning, they may need to be replaced in order to ensure safety and efficiency.
Complete cleaning includes brushing away all dust buildup from fan blades and coils; removing any buildup from burners; vacuuming away lint that may have collected around the igniter; lubricating moving parts; replacing air filters; inspecting gas lines for leaks, and checking flue pipes for damaged seals or other issues that would prevent hazardous gases from going outdoors instead of into your home.
Lubrication and Adjustment
Your furnace has several moving parts, and they must be lubricated to maintain peak performance. This prevents friction from building up, which can cause significant damage to your unit. The technician will check the fan belt for cracks or other signs of wear; it should also be oiled if necessary.
The technician will also inspect the condition of fuel lines, as well as adjust the ignition for optimum performance, which improves energy efficiency and reduces the risk of fire or top explosion due to improper combustion.
The technician may have to make minor repairs or replacements depending on what they find during the inspection. In some cases, the limit switches may need to be adjusted or new valves installed to ensure optimal airflow in all venting systems. Finally, they can also check insulation levels in vents and ducts and make any additional adjustments as needed.
Benefits of Regular Maintenance
Having regular maintenance performed on your furnace will also help prolong its life, give you peace of mind, and reduce the number of repairs you may need in the future.
Improved Efficiency
By having your furnace regularly serviced, you are keeping it in top working order—identifying and fixing small issues before they turn into larger, more expensive repairs. Furnace servicing allows technicians to identify and correct any problems or airflow restrictions that can reduce system efficiency.
Regular maintenance optimizes the combustion process, reducing wasted energy and helping you save on utility bills. Additionally, the technician will inspect your furnace’s heat exchangers for cracks or corrosion which over time can become increasingly difficult to repair. Finally, through ongoing maintenance furnace manufacturers often require customers to follow in order for the warranty of their product to remain valid. All of these benefits combined help ensure your furnace continues operating at optimal capacity for years to come!
Longer Life Span
Regular maintenance for your furnace will significantly increase its life span. Most furnaces, when properly maintained, have a life span of 15-20 years. If you skip maintenance or use cheap parts on your unit, it could age significantly faster. A well-maintained furnace can outlast cheaper models by 10-15 years!
Furnace maintenance also serves as an early warning system for other potential problems within the system – if your contractor detects any areas that are potentially problematic down the line, it can save you time and money by catching them early before they become major repairs (or even replacement) issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, annual furnace maintenance is crucial for making sure it runs efficiently and safely. Your furnace should be serviced regularly— annually as a minimum. If you notice any of the symptoms described above, or if it’s been more than a year since your last service call, contact your local HVAC specialist today.
Beyond ensuring worry-free performance and maximum efficiency, diligent maintenance also extends the lifespan of your system so you can get the most out of your investment. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance from the experts at heating repair services near you!
