Furnace Maintenance: Here’s What You Should Know

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Furnace Maintenance: Here’s What You Should Know

You might have certain furnace maintenance questions, especially since the heating season has just passed us. Remember, maintenance is key if you want your furnace to operate efficiently and reliably. It is never too early to prepare for the colder months, right? 

Check out our the commonly asked heating questions below: 

What are the benefits of preventative furnace maintenance? 
Preventative furnace maintenance performed by a trusted and reliable HVAC technician provides several valuable advantages for homeowners. These advantages include: 

*SYSTEM PROTECTION. It is no secret that furnace systems are expensive. No one wants to spend thousands to replace a furnace that dies before it even reaches the expected service life, right? Preventative maintenance is a homeowner’s best defense to protecting this investment as well as the comfort of the household. 

*IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY. Preventative maintenance tune-ups for furnace units reduces the wear and tear of the system, cleans and lubricates its components for optimal performance, and resolves concerns that cause the furnace to consume excess energy while operating. Annual tune-ups reduce energy consumption all throughout the cool season, thus lowering your heating bills. 

*CONSISTENT COMFORT 
When your furnace is properly maintained, you can expect it to operate reliably and efficiently, and trust that it will deliver consistent comfort throughout your entire home. Regular maintenance helps eliminate system performance issues that could prevent the system from providing adequate heating. 

What is done during preventative furnace maintenance? 
During a preventative maintenance tune-up, a qualified HVAC technician will perform many steps that will improve your system’s performance and efficiency. Each heating and cooling contractor has their own routines, but here are some of the basic steps: 

*Inspect duct system for air blockages and leakage. 
*Inspect heat exchanger for corrosion, cracks, or other damages. 
*Clean blower wheel and compartment to eliminate contaminants. 
*Test the blower door’s seal. 
*Inspect air intake grills to detect any blockage. 
*Test burner ignition and flame sensor. 
*Lubricate bearings and other moving components of the motor to reduce friction. 
*Test electrical connections throughout the system. 
*Inspect wiring for any damage. 
*Test the calibration of the thermostat. 
*Inspect the flue to ensure that there are no blockages or damage present. 
*Test safety controls. 
*Test furnace start-up cycle. 
*Check furnace filter and replace it if necessary. 

When should preventative maintenance be done? 
Preventative furnace maintenance should be done annually. Ideally, you should schedule your furnace maintenance tune-up in the all, before you actually need to turn on the system. When this is done, system issues can be detected and resolved before it needs to be used, so you can be confident enough that no problems will arise. Save yourself from the shock and problem of a furnace that will not turn on when you are ready for warmth – get that preventative maintenance done on time! 

For all your furnace concerns and needs, feel free to contact us today. It is always better to be safe than sorry!