When winter is on the horizon, it’s time to ask yourself: what is the condition of my furnace? As temperatures drop, your furnace will become a vital piece of equipment in your home. Without it, you and your family will not only become incredibly uncomfortable, but possibly risk dangerous living conditions. So, to stay warm this winter, make sure your furnace is properly maintained.
What Is Involved In Furnace Maintenance?
Preventative maintenance will save you money and frustration in the future. The best time to call out a technician is late summer or early fall. You want to make sure your furnace is in good shape before you need to rely on it for the winter months. New Brunswick heating and cooling companies like BG Services have trained technicians that will clean old parts and clean key areas to boost performance. During a general furnace inspection and maintenance, you can expect them to:
- Clean and remove buildup and debris
- Check for signs of damage and corrosion
- Inspect the flame burner and sensor
- Lubricate all moving parts
- Inspect electrical wiring and test the amp draw. They will replace any damaged or dangerous wiring as necessary.
- Inspect and replace air filter
- Examine belts and replace as needed
- Test and calibrate the thermostat
HVAC companies recommend performing this maintenance annually. This will ensure your furnace is working at its peak year after year. So, what benefits can you expect in return?
Save Money On Utility Costs
It might seem contradictory, but by spending money, you will actually save money. A neglected and dirty furnace has to work harder to operate. This means it draws more energy to do the same job. As a result, your electric bill goes up from the extra energy consumption. But as you clear out the dust, dirt, and debris, you ease its burden. So, the reverse logic is also true. Since it doesn’t have to work as hard to operate, it uses less energy, putting money back into your pocket.
Heat Your Home More Effectively
During the dead of winter, you need a reliable furnace to do its job. Not only does it need to blow strong enough to heat your home, but it needs to distribute the heat evenly. If your home experiences cold areas because of an inefficient heating system, it could spell trouble for whomever lives in that area of the house. By cleaning and calibrating the components of the furnace, you enable it to detect temperature and distribute air flow more effectively, so you can enjoy a more comfortable winter.
Deal With Fewer Major Repairs
Regular furnace maintenance will not only save you money on your utility bills, but it also saves money on repair costs. If any of its parts are damaged, dirty, or worn out, the rest of the machine has to work harder to pick up the slack. After a while, your furnace gets tired and simply gives up. Any problems that could have been addressed during routine maintenance easily lead to major expensive repairs. So, do yourself a favor, and take care of minor maintenance early.
Put Off A Full Replacement
Your furnace is a complicated machine. That’s why it’s vital for each moving part to operate at its best. If any component suffers, the entire furnace is at risk of breaking down, and eventually, it’s not worth repairing. By keeping each individual part in top shape, you will extend the useful life of your furnace, avoiding the need to replace it before it’s time.
Enjoy Clean Air In Your Home
As we go throughout our daily lives, we are exposed to any number of pollutants that, on most days, we’d rather not think about. Our homes should be a place where we can breathe easy. Since preventative maintenance checklists include changing air filters, you will improve your home’s air quality, as well. Air filters are designed to remove solid contaminants such as dust, pollen, mold, mildew, and pet dander. These particles are unhealthy for anyone to breathe, but they become incredibly problematic for anyone suffering from allergies. Remember, not only will you stay warm this winter, but you will breathe cleaner air as the cold keeps you indoors.
Knowing all the components of your furnace are in good working order will provide you peace of mind year after year. Furnaces can produce trace amounts of carbon-monoxide, which is carried out via the ventilation system. A maintenance inspection will make sure your ventilation system is also working properly, with no malfunctions.