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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:
Sep 5, 2022
Our hot water tank died and with an after hours phone called Bob the sales guy jumped into action. Friendly, courteous and genuinely wanted to do whats best for our house hold we were given options and he awaited an answer with no pressure.
We decided on what we wanted and it was installed asap and Greg and team worked and cleaned up so well, you would never know there was a hot water tank there before!
We love our hot water tank and being able to have back to back to back showers without having to wait for the hot water tank to heat the water!
Sep 4, 2022
I had heard of Twin Tech from a good friend of mine.
I needed to get a new Air Conditioner. It was not working properly and was 19 years old. I decided to get a new furnace at the same time.
I gave them a call on Saturday June 28.
I spoke to Bob Graham. I made arrangements for him to attend my house the following day.
I saw him on Sunday June 29 at 1100 AM.
He was on time and looked professional.
He spent 2 hours with me going over what I needed. He also suggested that I purchase a Humidifier. He gave me a quote of just under $11,000.00 for the purchase and installation of a Air Conditioner, Furnace and Humidifier. He was not pushy and gave me time to speak to my wife.
I called Bob on Monday June 30 and made arrangements to have it installed by the end of the week.
On Friday June 3 they arrived at 830 AM.
Again, right on time.
Greg and Mitch worked all day and finished the installation by 430 PM.
They made sure that everything was working properly and the basement was just as clean as it was before they came.
I will now be using Twin Tech to perform any maintenance needed on this equipment.
I was completely satisfied from start to finish with the service provided.
Thank You,
Gary Grieves.
Upchurch Ave.
Ajax.
Sep 3, 2022
We contacted TwinTech after having another ductless air-conditioning company come in to quote on a solution for our townhouse. We had a unique problem where my office was a hot spot - it's at the front of the unit and gets a lot of sun. If it's 20C outside, It's 29C in my office. The other company could not build a solution that would get a ductless unit to that room because of the location - the AC unit would have to be at the rear, and ductless systems would have to be on that side of the interior. TwinTech suggested a hybrid solution to fit our unique problem, where the ductless unit would move cold air to an air exchanger installed in our bedroom closet, and then they built a ducted vent system between all the upper rooms. This was less intrusive than building a central air system, and less expensive. Each room has a vent that I can close off, so I can push more cold air to my office when needed. We really didn't want ductless units sitting on the walls, and this looks and works better. I really appreciate the extra thought and care that went into the design of a solution, and the attention to detail in the installation. They answered all of our questions, and were able to do a bit extra by installing the ducts around the vents and painting them for us. It cost more than we originally planned for, due to our unique needs, but the fact that they offered financing helped us budget for more.
The job was done fast (I think we got lucky with timing where it wasn't the AC install busy season yet), and the team was very friendly and professional. They arrived and finished each day when they said they would. My office is now running at a comfortable temperature! I'm extremely happy with the experience and would whole heartedly recommend them.
Sep 2, 2022
How lucky are we to have this team come save us from our broken down, under sold, poorly installed previous unit (mind you there is a reason SEARS went bankrupt). Bob arrived on time to give us a detailed review of our unit and furnace; very knowledgeable. Greg arrived as planned with the new unit and reiterated what Bob explained how our furnace is equipped to handle the new unit and we didnt need to spend more money on a variable speed air conditioner. Cant say enough on how professional, efficient and personable this team is. Thank you so much guys!
Sep 1, 2022
We used Twintech for our replacement AC. Bob did a great job assessing what we needed and organized the install and showed up on install date. Greg and Mitch were on time and were very neat. They covered the traffic areas with a drop cloth and did an excellent install. Great clean up after install complete. Would recommend Twintech for heating and cooling.
Aug 31, 2022
They were fantastic, clean, freindly, great service. Would definitely recommend. Answered ally questions and more.
Aug 30, 2022
We woke up at about 7 a.m. the Sunday morning before Valentine's Day to a house that was barely 15 degrees Celsius on a really cold day. We tried to call some other suppliers but no answer or call back. We did a quick google search and Twintech came up. Had never dealt with them before. They had a chat line and lo & behold, someone answered; Greg. Helped us diagnose that our 40 year old furnace pilot light was out and walked us through how to relight it. All worked well; he even called me during this process. No charge I was told when asked.
15 minutes later, the pilot went out. It would not stay lit. Greg had Bob call us and we set up a meeting for about 11 a.m. that same Sunday.
Bob walked us through the options and even brought 3 electric space heaters for us to use. By Tuesday afternoon, we had a new Furnace and central air installed.
The team was helpful, responsive and respectful. Very glad we found them by accident and looking forward to a nice cool summer after a warm winter.
Thanks guys!
Aug 29, 2022
Dealing with Bob and the installation crew was a pleasure. They took the time to explain everything. What would benefit us the most and the price difference. They were in and out in a reasonable time frame and fit us in within a couple days of original meeting. Quality of work is excellent as well.
Aug 28, 2022
A pleasure dealing with Bob ,Spencer and Mitch . They are professional and they also observe the covid 19 precautions . Bob explained the whole process and got the new furnace up the next day . Highly recommend
Aug 27, 2022
Would like to thank TwinTech for their quick response to our furnace repair. We used TwinTech to install a new furnace and AC a few years
back. Our furnace started to have problems early in the evening of extremely cold night. Contacted TwinTech and they were able make a service call later that evening. They got the furnace going and came the next day to replace a part. The part was under warranty and there was
no charge for either service call!
We are extremely happy with their customer service and would highly recommend them.
Gary & Kelly
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