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Preventing a Total Furnace Breakdown: A Homeowner’s Guide

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.
Very impressed with this company. They show up on time , kept my place clean and after they left it looks like they were never there. Very professional team. Those people know what they doing . Their installation was on the highest standard. They are very knowledgeable especially they're worker Peter. I strongly recommend this company to everybody. After the installation I receive the call making sure I'm satisfied with their products and their job. Bravo!!!
Greg and his brother were referred to us by a friend. They arrived when they said they would, did an exceptional job and left the place as tidy or tidier then they found it. Their professionalism is only surpassed by their kind and friendly demeanor. Even after several calls to help me with my high tech thermostat I feel that I could always call with any concern (No one responds to my texts as quickly as Greg) and have a friendly helpful response. I found out their grandfather started the company and now as a 3rd generation company, they are doing their grandfather proud. I would highly recommend Twintech over any other hvac company out there.
Thanks to the guys at Twintech Heating for a great job installing a new hot water tank. They set a time and day to remove the old tank and install the new one. They were on time and had the work done quickly and cleaned up after they were finished. Excellent work and great value.
In November, we contacted Twintech for a quote on a high efficiency furnace plus installation. Dave, the sales representative for the company was very friendly and informative. Upon arrival at our home, he willingly showed us his company licenses, clearly explained the operation of a high efficiency furnace and answered all our questions to our satisfaction. As well, Dave was the only sales representative that we contacted that was willing to make the arrangements for an energy audit. For us, this was a big plus as we found the government rebate program somewhat confusing to navigate. The furnace was installed on the date that was arranged in an efficient and professional manner by Greg (the owner) and Peter. Both men worked diligently, throughout a long day to complete the job and upon finishing, left the job site immaculate. When a neighbour raised concerns about the furnace venting location, Greg located an alternative location and resolved the situation with diplomacy. We chose the Napoleon furnace for its excellent warrant;y on the heat exchanger and because it was made in Canada! In addition, to the furnace warranty, Twintech offered us a 5 year warranty on labour which speaks to the quality and pride this team has in their workmanship. It has been over a month now (with some of the coldest January days on record) since we have had the furnace installed. The furnace runs quietly and distributes heat more evenly throughout our 90 year old Toronto home. We can't speak highly enough of the Twintech team and are very satisfied with their workmanship and job ethics. We have no hesitation about recommending them.
What more could you ask for! Grant and Greg Dainty provided a professional,diligent and thorough approach to the installation of my furnace. I would highly recommend there services.
Last week our Furnace failed overnight. We called Twintech to help us get it running again. They did a really thorough check on it, and got it running in less than an hour. Given that it was an old Furnace (+20 years old), we were giving two options: repair it or replace it. Instead of doing a repair on it that could break in a week or two, they recommended us to change it. I like that they were honest on the recommendation, not forcing a new furnace on us. At the end we went with a new Furnace. Twintech solutions service & salesman gave us recommendation on the size of the unit and many options that could work for our home. They ended up doing an excellent work in our furnace, replacing the filter to a better option and replacing some pieces that had water damage. They cleaned after themselves and leave everything even better than what they found. They even went far and beyond tiding up the hose connections that we had on the basement.
I am in the process of finishing my basement and wanted to make sure I got the low hanging duct work fixed in advance. After reviewing 5 quotes I selected Twintech to award the contract to. The price was competitive however what won me over was Grant's (co-owner) attention to detail and his ability to focus on what my goals and priorities were for the project. His team completed the job over 3 days as there was significant duct work changes and the relocation of all of the equipment. They also completed the job with little downtime so we weren't left overnight without heat during freezing winter temperatures.
My father woke up to no heat one Saturday morning. We had a few names that friends had recommended but while checking out the companies' ratings on HomeStars, we found Twintech with great ratings too. The other companies either didn't get back to us or didn't have time to come at such short notice. TwinTech made the time in their schedule for what they judged to be an emergency: no heat in the home of an elderly person. At no extra fee for a short notice, weekend visit. They recommended an upgraded furnace unit and explained that we would qualify for a rebate that would bring the price down to that of a lower model. They set us up with the rep from the MNR that covers the rebate so that we didn't have to deal with the paperwork & phone calls ourselves. Installation was quick, efficient, & smooth. We were so pleased with their service we ordered a new water heater too. Both are working great (efficient & quiet!) & my father is safe & comfortable. We can't say enough about how pleased we are with their service. We have already recommended them to others.
Twintech Heating & Cooling. I just want to say thanks for helping me . My Furnace stopped working. And l phone Dave Getgley he set me up with Greg. What an amazing team they did a great job in setting me up with a new Furnace. Anyone that needed a new Furnace these are the guys to call. Thanks again for a job well done.
Our home has had poor heating and air conditioning the past couple of years. Dave recommended a Goodman solution with more power than we had. Grant and Greg installed the units in late November. Heating is better than ever. We have a warm home again and look forward to the winter. Can't wait to see how the AC runs in 2018. Job was super clean and professionally done. Highly recommended.
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We are very happy to recommend this company to everyone. Our furnace broke down on Sunday morning. We phoned them and before noon Grant the owner showed up. He worked on the furnace for about a hour not wanting to give up to fix the problem. The furnace was 17 years old. I was the one talking about replacing it. End result was the next day it was all done. On the Sunday Bob came over with heaters to warm up the house. We decided to replace the water heater at the same time. Thanks Grant for the excellent work. Thumbs up.
Right on time. Explained how to work the HRV in a different way so the house would not be so dry. Changed my whole house water filter for me as well. Friendly, helpful, caring service!
Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.
We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!
TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!
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