Reasons to Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
As the temperature dips and you find yourself reaching for the thermostat more frequently, you should also reach for your phone to schedule annual furnace maintenance. Being sure that your furnace is at its best this winter boosts your comfort, safety and peace of mind all season long.
Here’s more about what this crucial preventive task involves and why you shouldn’t neglect it.
What Is Included in Annual Furnace Maintenance?
A maintenance call is a reliable way to get your heating system in good shape. Although the particular tasks depend on the type and age of your system, you can normally expect your technician to do the following:
- Check and clean the burner: Over the years, dirt and debris can obstruct the burner, affecting its performance. Cleaning it maintains ideal heat transfer.
- Test the gas valves: Confirming these valves are fully open and working correctly is crucial for safe furnace operation.
- Check the heat exchanger: A cracked heat exchanger can cause carbon monoxide leaks, so it’s crucial to make sure no cracks are present.
- Evaluate and tighten electrical elements: Loose connections can make your furnace hazardous and inefficient. Thankfully, tightening them is a fast and straightforward process.
- Clean the blower: A grimy blower impacts your furnace’s ability to distribute warm air throughout your home. Cleaning and balancing the fan assures the best airflow.
- Swap out the air filter: Clean air filters ensure necessary airflow throughout your system, which is why you should always replace a clogged air filter in your furnace. Installing a clean, new air filter also increases indoor air quality if you choose an effective filtration system.
Why It’s Helpful to Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
If your furnace seems to be running fine, is it still beneficial to set up a maintenance tune-up? Consider these four reasons why the answer is a resounding “yes”:
- Reduce mid-season breakdowns: There are few more disheartening ways to start the day than waking up on a cold winter morning to find your furnace has stopped working. Mid-season breakdowns are aggravating and can leave you scrambling to find a quick fix. Annual furnace maintenance reduces the likelihood of unexpected issues because your technician looks over every part of your system, catching minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs.
- Lower repair costs: It’s a simple equation—the sooner you catch a problem, the less expensive it is to correct. By investing in affordable, scheduled maintenance visits, you can avoid expensive, inconvenient repairs, keeping more money in your pocket.
- Maximize your furnace’s life span: Like a well-maintained car, a furnace that receives annual tune-ups will likely last longer than an ignored heating system. Annual maintenance saves you the expense of untimely furnace replacement by lengthening your system’s life span.
- Raise energy efficiency: A well-maintained heating system operates smoothly and efficiently. When all the elements are clean and in good working order, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm. This reduces your energy bills and diminishes your environmental impact.
- Healthier indoor air quality: Polluted indoor air aggravates allergies and respiratory issues. The air filter in your furnace catches dust, pollen and other airborne contaminants to reduce these conditions. During a maintenance visit, the HVAC tech will change the air filter at your request, ensuring cleaner air moves through your home.
- Promotes safety: A malfunctioning furnace is not only inefficient, there’s a chance it also might be dangerous. Cracked heat exchangers or faulty gas valves can produce potentially deadly carbon monoxide leaks. Knowing your system has been examined for anything that could be dangerous should give you a sense of comfort this winter.
What Time of Year Should You Set up Your Maintenance Visit?
To experience the most benefits, it’s best to schedule annual furnace maintenance in the fall before winter’s chill arrives. This ensures that any issues are attended to before you have to call heavily on your heating system.
At-Home Furnace Maintenance Between Formal Visits
Though professional maintenance is important, you can do several tasks yourself so that your furnace runs smoothly between visits:
- Switch out the air filter every 30 to 90 days to optimize airflow.
- Be sure that the home’s return and supply registers are open and unblocked for system balance.
- Vacuum the surface of the furnace with the brush attachment so it is clean.
Choose McKinley Heating Service Experts for Furnace Maintenance in Edmonton
If it’s time for your next furnace maintenance visit, McKinley Heating Service Experts is a name you can rely on. Our certified technicians provide fast, long-lasting solutions to all your heating and cooling problems. We’re proud to deliver solutions to our customers and focus on making a big difference in your everyday life and sense of comfort. We even offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee to put your mind at ease. To make sure your furnace is ready for cold weather, call 780-800-7092 today to schedule furnace maintenance with McKinley Heating Service Experts.
