Furnace Maintenance: A Guide

Heating and air conditioning maintenance companies always encourage people to have regular consultations with an expert about their HVAC units. It’s important to keep in mind that HVAC maintenance is highly critical to ensuring good, long-lasting indoor air quality and overall comfort for your property. If this isn’t taken seriously over the years, it’s likely that the system will lose efficiency more quickly than expected.

Remember that this can lead to abrupt breakdowns, costly inspections and repairs and possibly even a replacement. In this post, we’ll take a look at the importance of regular furnace maintenance and why it should be done annually, at minimum.

The Basics of Professional Preventive Maintenance

As a homeowner, your role is to clean and maintain your furnace whenever necessary. This process involves changing the air filter in a timely manner, keeping the area around the unit clean and clearing the vents of any dirt and debris. However, this isn’t always enough to ensure your furnace remains in great condition.

Although your furnace will probably make it through the winter without a maintenance session, it could still be worse for the wear. Below HVAC repair experts iterate how maintenance is one of the best things you can do for your unit. Remember that if you consider calling your contractor for help,

• The possibility of extensive wear and tear will be reduced, whilst lengthening its lifespan over the long term;

• You won’t be required to make repairs throughout the winter; and

• You’ll save money on your utility and energy bills when your furnace is in better shape.

For a clearer overview, here are benefits you can take note of:

Ensuring consistent warmth. HVAC installation companies suggest that a lack of preservation or maintenance is one of the reasons why furnaces in many households malfunction unexpectedly. While it’s expected for your heating system to run almost constantly throughout the winter, it’s essential to have it inspected prior to the winter season for signs of wear and tear, as well as issues that could affect its performance.

Preventing carbon monoxide leaks. Make certain your furnace is thoroughly assessed by a reliable HVAC technician by checking the venting, gassing and electrical mechanisms to ensure each component is in order. Experts note that carbon monoxide is a byproduct of furnace usage. It escapes through the system’s exhaust pipes. This substance can leak inside your home and cause health problems that can be fatal.

Improving indoor air quality. Heating and air conditioning maintenance companies insist that if you haven’t turned your furnace on for several months, the air filter may have already accumulated dust and dirt. This can be immediately fixed by calling an expert, as maintenance usually includes replacing the filter with a new one.

Achieving savings by preventing expensive furnace repairs and replacements. Remember that once you’re told to get furnace repairs, you’ll pay less money than if you had waited for the furnace to break down. Regular furnace maintenance saves people money and time, as it gives technicians the opportunity to fix small issues before expensive repairs are necessary. The idea here is to prevent small problems from growing into big, costly ones. More importantly, scheduled maintenance helps improve your unit’s energy efficiency, resulting in increased savings on your utility bills. So schedule a consultation to protect your budget.

Maintaining your warranty’s validity. There are some manufacturers who mandate that furnace owners must keep up with regular maintenance in order to keep their warranty valid. If you haven’t been getting your furnace inspected every year and something goes wrong, the company may ask to see your maintenance records. Remember that if you don’t have any, your warranty could be rejected. When this happens, you’ll have to pay for repairs and replacements yourself, even within the warranty period.

As mentioned previously, during maintenance and check-ups, your HVAC company will not only be working on cleaning your system: they’ll also be performing other tasks, which may include:

• Cleaning the air ducts.

• Checking the amount of refrigerant in the system, the belts for tightness and wear and the thermostat’s accuracy.

• Inspecting electric terminals and cleaning and tightening connections.

• Measuring the evaporator coil’s airflow.

• Oiling the unit’s motors.

• Running tests for seal leaks in ducts.

While guaranteeing good indoor quality in your home is a top priority, if you notice any of the following signs, immediately call for help.

1. Surging bills. This will probably be the most noticeable sign you’ll ever encounter. Check if your ductwork is leaking air or if your windows are improperly sealed. Hire a trained expert to take care of any such issues.

2. Increased humidity. Some amount of humidity is normal in many regions, but if you notice an unusual change in the humidity within your home, this is an indication that something is wrong with your unit.

3. Imbalanced temperature. HVAC installation companies will remind you that if there are areas that are oddly cooler or warmer than others, you might have issues with your HVAC system. Have this imbalance immediately looked into by a professional.

4. Unusual sounds. Your HVAC unit should be relatively quiet whenever it’s operating. Remember that banging or grinding noises are strong indicators of trouble. You could also hear buzzing, scurrying or flapping noises if you have pests or small animals inside your ductwork. Although the noise could be due to a loose screw, you should still have a professional check out unusual sounds, as they could point to major problems.

5. Unpleasant smells. If your unit doesn’t work properly, your indoor humidity will rise, especially in the summer. Increased humidity can eventually lead to mold, mildew and musty smells. Moreover, should you smell gas or a burning smell in the winter, leave your home and reach out to a professional immediately.

Do you have an emergency? Do you need HVAC repair? Cafco Services has got you covered. We provide emergency services 24/7, guaranteeing that you’ll get the HVAC, refrigeration and hot side help you need — whenever you need it. Call us at (513) 653-7446 or check out our online form here.