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Preventing a Total Furnace Breakdown: A Homeowner’s Guide
Posted On: October 28, 2024
A total furnace breakdown can spell trouble, especially during the coldest months when you need warmth the most.
To avoid discomfort, high repair bills, and a potentially costly furnace replacement, there are proactive steps you can take to ensure your furnace stays in top shape.
Here’s how to keep your furnace running smoothly all winter long.
1.
Recognizing Warning Signs of a Failing Furnace
Understanding the early signs of a potential breakdown can help you address issues before they escalate.
Here are key indicators:
Inconsistent Heating: If some rooms feel colder than others or you notice cold spots, your furnace might be struggling to distribute heat efficiently.
Higher Utility Bills: A sudden increase in your energy bill, without an apparent cause, often signals that your furnace is working harder than it should.
Unusual Noises: Any rattling, banging, or screeching sounds coming from your furnace could indicate loose or worn-out parts that need attention.
Frequent Cycling: A furnace that turns on and off repeatedly might be experiencing issues with airflow, overheating, or the thermostat.
Poor Air Quality: Dust accumulation, dry air, or a musty smell can indicate that the furnace is not filtering air properly, possibly due to dirty filters or other maintenance issues.
2.
Essential Maintenance Tips for Furnace Longevity
Regular upkeep can drastically improve your furnace’s efficiency and reliability.
Follow these essential steps to prevent breakdowns:
Schedule Annual Inspections and Tune-Ups Having your furnace inspected by a professional at least once a year, preferably before the heating season begins, is essential.
A technician can detect minor issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, clean internal components, and ensure everything is functioning optimally.
Change Filters Regularly Dirty filters are one of the primary causes of furnace malfunctions.
Check the filters monthly, especially during heavy use, and replace them every 1–3 months.
Clean filters allow your furnace to work efficiently, improve indoor air quality, and help prevent overheating.
Clean Vents and Ducts Dust and debris buildup in ducts and vents can restrict airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder.
Clean your vents regularly, and consider professional duct cleaning if you notice significant buildup.
This simple step improves airflow and maintains good air quality in your home.
Check and Clear the Furnace Area Furnaces need adequate space and airflow to operate efficiently.
Make sure the area around your furnace is free from clutter, dust, and any flammable materials.
Regularly dusting the exterior of the furnace will also help keep it clean and reduce wear.
Inspect the Thermostat Sometimes the problem isn’t with the furnace but with the thermostat itself.
Check to ensure it’s working correctly, and if it’s an older model, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat for better control and efficiency.
3.
Address Small Issues Before They Escalate
Ignoring small issues can lead to more serious problems down the road.
If you notice something isn’t right, address it early:
Fixing Minor Repairs Promptly A loose part or minor repair might seem insignificant but can lead to major issues if left unchecked.
If your technician points out small repairs during an inspection, it’s best to address them right away.
Replace Worn Parts Parts like belts, bearings, and motor components can wear out over time.
Regular inspections can reveal which parts are nearing the end of their lifespan, allowing you to replace them before they cause bigger issues.
Seal Air Leaks Air leaks in your home can make your furnace work harder, straining the system.
Inspect windows, doors, and duct connections for leaks and seal them.
This small step can reduce your furnace’s workload, lower energy costs, and improve overall efficiency.
4.
Benefits of Preventive Maintenance
Investing time and money in preventive furnace care pays off in several ways:
Increased Furnace Lifespan Regular maintenance helps your furnace operate at peak efficiency, extending its life by reducing the wear and tear that leads to breakdowns.
Reduced Risk of Emergency Repairs Emergency repairs can be costly and inconvenient, often happening during peak usage times.
Preventive maintenance minimizes the chances of unexpected breakdowns, saving you from potentially high emergency service fees.
Lower Energy Bills A well-maintained furnace operates more efficiently, reducing the energy required to heat your home.
This translates to lower monthly energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
Improved Home Comfort and Safety Regular inspections ensure your furnace is running safely, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide leaks and other hazards.
They also help keep your home warm and comfortable, with consistent temperatures throughout.
5.
Consider Professional Service Plans
Many HVAC companies offer service plans that include annual inspections, maintenance, and sometimes even priority service for repairs.
These plans are often cost-effective, giving you peace of mind that your furnace is in good hands while saving you money in the long run.
In Conclusion
Preventing a total furnace breakdown is all about regular care and attention.
By keeping an eye on your furnace’s performance, performing basic maintenance, and addressing small issues early, you can enjoy a reliable and efficient heating system throughout the colder months.
And remember - professional inspections are worth the investment, helping you catch potential problems before they turn into costly repairs.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
Jun 4, 2018
End to end service. From quote, overseeing installation, contacting and making arrangements for energy audit. Warranty program is comprehensive. Cleaned up mess of assistant walking through my place without proper indoor foot covering when I pointed out that I was not happy about footprints on my floors.
Jun 11, 2018
In April we hired Twintech Heating & Cooling to replace our 20 year old water tank & 35 year old air conditioner. We got 5 estimates for the job & decided to go with Twintech for the following reasons.
- The Sales Manager, Dave, was very personable & knowledgeable as all of our questions were answered. (We had a list of questions we asked each of the contractors when we got the estimates)
- We got 5 estimates for the job. All contractors verbally told us they had the required qualifications but Dave was the only one to physically show us their license & insurance documentation.
- Twintech carried the Napoleon air conditioner & we wanted to support Canadian industry as it is assembled in Barrie On.
Safety is important at Twintech as demonstrated when we discussed with Dave, the need to change our install date because of freezing rain. Access was required by navigating a set of outside steps & Dave identified that safety took precedence.
On the installation date, Greg, Peter & Grant showed up on time & methodically accomplished the removal & installation of both units. The guys did a great job cleaning up as well.
When the job was completed we mentioned to Greg that we were pleased with the work they had done & were going to have them come out & do our furnace inspection in Sept. Greg said we can save our money as he had inspected the heat exchanger on the furnace while doing the job & there was no need to have another inspection in Sept. We were very impressed with Gregs initiative. This is top shelf service. Thank you Greg.
As the weather was too cool to complete a functional test of the air conditioner on the installation date, Dave made a follow-up call to us to see how things were going & Greg also came out to check the operation. No problems.
We are very happy we hired professionals like Dave, Greg, Grant & Peter & have no hesitation in recommending Twintech Heating & Cooling. They will now be our "go to" guys.
Nov 18, 2018
These guys are the best. From start to finish they exceeded my expectations and delivered a great product. They accommodated the nuances of my 100 year old home which was really appreciated. The install was easy to schedule and done fantastically. Im so excited to have an efficiently heated and cooled home.
Aug 12, 2018
Twintech were fast and efficient contractors. It only took 48 hours between an initial home visit and complete installation. The workmen were polite and hardworking. The site was left clean with the old furnace etc. removed. They helped arrange an environmental assessment in order that I could receive the maximum rebate. They even called me within a week to determine if I was satisfied with their work and to reassure me that I could call them anytime I experienced heating difficulties or had any questions. I recommend Twintech for your heating problems.
Jul 21, 2018
Courteous and professional service from initial consultation through to the installation. We highly recommend Twintech for outstanding service in the industry. Competitive pricing, professional and accurate advice, attention to detail, respect for their client's home and cleaning up at the completion of installation.
Jul 12, 2018
Last night was the coldest day of the year so far and I woke up to my house being 54 degrees... I called Twintech at 2:45am and Greg was on site by 3:30am. The furnace required a part and he returned to his shop and came back to my home around 4:15am, furnace up and running by 4:30am. THANK YOU TWINTECH! Your service is second to none.
Jun 25, 2018
After much research & getting 4 quotes, we hired Twintech team for our new furnace installation, prices were fair, they carried great product brands & more importantly installation was expertly done by one of the owners (Greg & his assistant Peter) which gave me an added piece of mind. Dave was very organized & answered all my questions in great detail, especially re: the Enbridge & Govt. rebate program.
Jun 10, 2018
My old air conditioner was 20 years old and developed a Freon leak and it was more cost effective to replace rather than repair. There are a large number of heating and air conditioning companies available in my area so I contacted several for quotes. Twintech heating and cooling responded quickly to the inquiry I left on their website and their sales person Dave came by the following day. He was knowledgeable about the field and was able to show copies of the various refrigeration and gas fitting licenses along with workmens compensation, TSSA and other certifications. He also suggested a particular manufacturer and model of AC unit appropriate to my house and gave me a quote. Since the price was reasonable, service had been good and the reviews on the internet were also good, I decided to purchase an AC unit from them. Installation was quickly scheduled. They showed up on time, did a good job installing the new unit including some sheet metal work to get the new heat exchanger to fit in the furnace duct, and cleaned up afterward. In addition, they noticed that my existing AC was installed too close to the furnace exhaust (based on building code) and were able to mount the new AC the appropriate distance from the exhaust. Overall, they did an excellent job and were a pleasure to work with.
Jun 5, 2018
All interactions from sales to installation were Courteous and professional. The installation was seamless and the attention to detail including clean up was outstanding. I highly recommend TwinTech Heating and Cooling.
May 17, 2018
Twintech's Salesman Dave arrived promptly was friendly and courteous, listened and assured us the installation would be completed according to our requests. The crew arrived early morning on May 11th, 2018 and worked through till late afternoon non-stop. They were very friendly, very professional, their expertise was excellent, their workmanship outstanding and the installation was completed in a timely and efficient manner. We were completely satisfied and happy with the quality of the work.
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