Benefits of 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 arrange annual furnace maintenance. Making sure your furnace operates at peak efficiency this winter enhances your comfort, safety and peace of mind all season long.

Here’s more about what this crucial annual task involves and why you shouldn’t neglect it.

What Is Done During Routine Furnace Maintenance?

A maintenance visit is a reliable way to get your heating system in good shape. Although the particular tasks depend on the brand and age of your furnace, you can generally expect your technician to do the following:

• Check and clean the burner: Over time, dirt and debris can obstruct the burner, affecting its performance. Cleaning it maintains ideal heat transfer.
• Test the gas valves: Confirming these valves are totally open and operating correctly is crucial for safe furnace operation.
• Examine the heat exchanger: A cracked heat exchanger can lead to carbon monoxide leaks, so it’s essential to ensure no cracks are present.
• Assess and tighten electrical elements: Loose connections can make your system unsafe and inefficient. Fortunately, tightening them is a fast and simple task.
• Clean the blower: A dirty blower affects your furnace’s ability to distribute warm air through your home. Cleaning and balancing the fan makes certain that your home has optimal airflow.
• Swap out the air filter: Clean air filters allow appropriate airflow throughout your system, which is why you should always replace a dirt-filled air filter in your furnace. Installing a clean, new air filter also boosts indoor air quality if you set up a filtration system.

Why It’s Helpful to Schedule Routine Furnace Maintenance

If your furnace seems to be running fine, is it still worthwhile to arrange a maintenance appointment? 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 chilly winter morning to learn your furnace has stopped working. Unexpected breakdowns are upsetting and can leave you scrambling to find a repairman. Annual furnace maintenance lowers the likelihood of unexpected problems because your service tech looks over every part of your system, catching minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs.
• Less expensive repair costs: It’s a simple equation—the quicker you discover a problem, the less expensive it is to fix. By investing in reasonably priced, scheduled maintenance visits, you can avoid costly, inconvenient repairs, keeping more money in your pocket.
• Lengthen your furnace’s life span: Like a well-maintained car, a furnace that receives routine tune-ups will likely last longer than an unattended heating system. Annual maintenance helps you avoid the expense of untimely furnace replacement by adding years to your system’s life span.
• Raise energy efficiency: A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. When all the parts are clean and in good working order, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your household cozy. This lowers your heating bills and diminishes your environmental impact.
• Healthier indoor air quality: Polluted indoor air intensifies allergies and respiratory diseases. The air filter in your furnace catches dust, pollen and other airborne contaminants to reduce these conditions. During a maintenance tune-up, the HVAC tech will change the air filter at your request, ensuring cleaner air circulates through your home.
• Boosts safety: A furnace that needs repair is not only inefficient, it’s also potentially dangerous. Cracked heat exchangers or defective gas valves can produce dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. Knowing your system has been inspected for any possible safety issues should give you peace of mind this winter.

What Time of Year Should You Set up Your Maintenance Visit?

To reap the most benefits, it’s best to arrange annual furnace maintenance in the fall before winter’s chill gets to your area. This gives you time to make sure any issues are attended to before you begin relying heavily on your heating system.

Do-It-Yourself Furnace Maintenance Between Appointments

Although professional maintenance is vital, you can perform several tasks yourself so that your furnace runs smoothly between visits:

• Replace the air filter every 30 to 90 days to increase airflow.
• Keep all return and supply registers open and free of obstructions for system balance.
• Vacuum the surface of the furnace with the brush attachment to keep it clean.

Choose Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for Furnace Maintenance in Fort Lauderdale

If it’s time for your next furnace maintenance tune-up, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is an HVAC company you can trust. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, long-lasting answers to all your heating and cooling dilemmas. We’re proud to deliver solutions to everyone we can and focus on making a significant difference in your everyday life and sense of comfort. We even give our customers a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can feel even more comfortable. To get the most out of your heating system, call 954-736-4314 today to schedule furnace maintenance with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.