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Everything You Need to Know About Furnace Maintenance

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Everything You Need to Know About Furnace Maintenance

Posted On: November 7, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About Furnace Maintenance

Maintaining your furnace is crucial for keeping your home comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient, especially during the colder months. Regular furnace maintenance can prevent unexpected breakdowns, lower energy bills, and extend the lifespan of your system. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to take care of your furnace and what to look for in professional services.


1. Why Furnace Maintenance Is Important

Furnaces need regular upkeep to perform optimally. Neglecting maintenance can lead to higher utility bills, reduced efficiency, and an increased risk of breakdowns. Proper care helps:


  • Extend Furnace Lifespan: Regular tune-ups prevent wear and tear, helping the furnace last longer.
  • Reduce Energy Costs: Clean, well-maintained furnaces use less energy, which can lower heating bills.
  • Improve Air Quality: Clean filters and ducts reduce dust, allergens, and pollutants circulating in your home.
  • Ensure Safety: Regular checks can catch issues with gas leaks or faulty connections, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

2. Signs Your Furnace Needs Maintenance

Some signs indicate your furnace may need maintenance or repair. Look out for:


  • Strange Noises: Banging, rattling, or whistling sounds can indicate mechanical issues.
  • Weak or Inconsistent Airflow: This can result from a clogged filter or a failing blower.
  • Increased Heating Bills: If bills are rising without a reason, the furnace may not be operating efficiently.
  • Frequent Cycling: A furnace that turns on and off too frequently may have a thermostat or sensor issue.
  • Yellow Pilot Light: A yellow or flickering pilot light can indicate a gas leak or ventilation issue.

3. DIY Furnace Maintenance Steps

Some basic maintenance tasks can be done by homeowners to keep the furnace in top shape. Here’s a checklist:


  • Replace the Air Filter: Change the filter every 1-3 months, depending on usage and air quality.
  • Check the Thermostat: Ensure the thermostat is working properly, and consider a programmable one to save on energy.
  • Clean the Furnace Area: Keep the area around the furnace clear of dust, debris, and flammable materials.
  • Inspect Vents and Ducts: Make sure all vents are open and unobstructed to allow proper airflow.
  • Clean the Blower and Motor: Check and clean the blower fan and motor to prevent dirt buildup.

4. Professional Furnace Maintenance Services

Hiring a professional HVAC technician at least once a year is a good idea. Here’s what you can expect from a professional furnace maintenance service:


  • Thorough Cleaning: Technicians clean the blower, motor, and other internal parts, improving efficiency.
  • Lubrication of Moving Parts: Reduces wear and tear on components like the blower motor.
  • Inspecting the Heat Exchanger: Professionals check the heat exchanger for cracks or other signs of damage to avoid gas leaks.
  • Testing Electrical Components: Ensures that all wires, fuses, and connections are safe and functioning properly.
  • Gas Line and Pressure Checks: For gas furnaces, professionals inspect the gas line and test for leaks.

5. How Often Should You Service Your Furnace?

The general recommendation is to have your furnace inspected and maintained at least once a year, ideally before the heating season starts. This can prevent last-minute repairs and give peace of mind that the system will perform when you need it.


6. Tips for Choosing a Professional Furnace Maintenance Service

When looking for an HVAC professional, consider these tips:


  • Check Credentials: Ensure they’re licensed and certified.
  • Read Reviews: Look for positive reviews and satisfied customers.
  • Ask About Warranties: Reputable companies usually provide warranties for their services.
  • Get a Detailed Quote: Before committing, get a written estimate and understand what services are included.

7. Common Furnace Problems to Watch Out For

Even with regular maintenance, furnaces can encounter issues. Some of the most common problems include:


  • Pilot Light Issues: Often caused by a faulty thermocouple or a draft.
  • Blower Issues: A blower that runs constantly or not at all can result from a faulty relay switch.
  • Thermostat Malfunctions: Can cause uneven heating or frequent cycling.
  • Dirty or Clogged Filters: Reduce airflow and can cause the furnace to overheat.

8. Safety Tips for Furnace Maintenance

  • Check for Carbon Monoxide: Install carbon monoxide detectors and test them regularly.
  • Turn Off Power Before Servicing: Always disconnect power to the furnace before cleaning or changing parts.
  • Ensure Proper Ventilation: Gas furnaces need adequate ventilation for safety.

Conclusion

Regular furnace maintenance keeps your system running efficiently, reduces costs, and ensures safety for your household. By combining simple DIY upkeep with professional annual inspections, you can extend the life of your furnace and keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long.



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See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by RJW in Ajax on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by Marilyn in Milton on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by Barry in Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by Hector in Scarborough on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by Ryan Doherty in Whitby on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by Private User from Oshawa on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by joe calabro in Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by Peter from Ajax on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by iqster in Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Received a new range and needed someone to disconnect the old range and connect the new gas range. They did a thorough job and were kind enough to remove the old range from the house. Thank you!

by AJM in Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Very satisfied with this company! Salesperson Dave was very good, very knowledgeable and gave me the impression that he wanted to sell me what I needed rather than what would put the most money in the company's pocket. He also called back after the installation to see if I was satisfied with the result. The installation crew of Greg, Grant and Peter did a great job. They arrived on time, completed the job quickly, answered all my questions and thoroughly cleaned up. They told me to call if I had any further questions. They left me with the impression that they really cared about their work and my satisfaction and that it wasn't " just a job". Prior to researching for a new furnace, I had never heard of this company but I'm glad that I did and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a new furnace or air conditioning unit. They may be small but they do a great job!!

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See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Robert Rogers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by Robert Mizuno on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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!

by Ruth on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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!

by Anna Chin on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Amazing experience with TwinTech Heating & Cooling! Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient from start to finish. They installed my new furnace quickly and left everything spotless. The technicians took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable with the system before they left. Great customer service and fair pricing. I highly recommend them for anyone needing HVAC services!

by Connor Agnew on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Great experience all around. Bob was sharp and easy to talk to, and Greg handled the installation perfectly. Would hire them again in a heartbeat.

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