Benefits of Annual Furnace Maintenance

As the temperature drops and you find yourself reaching for the thermostat more and more, you should also reach for your phone to set up 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 little more about what this crucial preventive task involves and why you shouldn’t neglect it.

What Is Done During Routine Furnace Maintenance?

A maintenance call is an easy way to get your heating system in good shape. Although the specific tasks depend on the design and age of your system, you can generally expect your technician to perform the following:

• Check and clean the burner: Over the years, dirt and debris can clog the burner, affecting its performance. Cleaning it restores optimal heat transfer.
• Test the gas valves: Ensuring these valves are completely open and working correctly is crucial for safe furnace operation.
• Look over the heat exchanger: A cracked heat exchanger can result in carbon monoxide leaks, so it’s important to check that no cracks are present.
• Assess and tighten electrical parts: Loose connections can make your furnace hazardous and inefficient. The good thing is, tightening them is a fast and easy task.
• Clean the blower: A grimy blower has an effect on your furnace’s ability to distribute warm air through your home. Cleaning and balancing the fan assures the best airflow.
• Swap out the air filter: Clean air filters allow necessary airflow throughout your system, which is why you should always replace a clogged air filter in your furnace. Installing a fresh, new air filter also boosts indoor air quality if you choose an effective filtration system.

Why You Should Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance

If your furnace seems to be running fine, is it still beneficial to arrange a maintenance visit? Here are some of the ways furnace maintenance is beneficial:

• Decrease mid-season breakdowns: There are few more disheartening ways to start the day than waking up on a cold winter morning to find your furnace has stopped working. Mid-season breakdowns are aggravating and can leave you scrambling to find someone to fix it. Annual furnace maintenance lowers the chance of unexpected problems because your service tech looks over every part of your system, catching minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs.
• Less expensive repair costs: It’s a simple equation—the earlier you catch a problem, the less expensive it is to fix. By investing in reasonably priced, predictable maintenance visits, you can avoid costly, inconvenient repairs, keeping more money in your pocket.
• Lengthen your furnace’s life span: Like a well-maintained car, a furnace that receives regular tune-ups will likely last longer than an ignored heating system. Annual maintenance helps prevent the expense of premature furnace replacement by lengthening your system’s life span.
• Increase energy efficiency: A well-maintained heating system runs a lot more efficiently. When all the components are clean and in good working order, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your residence warm. This lowers your power bills and diminishes your environmental impact.
• Healthier indoor air quality: Polluted indoor air intensifies allergies and respiratory diseases. The air filter in your furnace catches dust, pollen and other airborne particles to reduce these issues. During a maintenance visit, the HVAC tech will change the air filter at your request, ensuring cleaner air circulates through your home.
• Boosts safety: A furnace that needs repair is not only inefficient, it also could be dangerous. Cracked heat exchangers or defective gas valves can cause harmful carbon monoxide leaks. Knowing your system has been examined for anything that could be dangerous should give you a secure feeling this winter.