The Value of Annual Furnace Maintenance

As the temperature dips and you find yourself reaching for the thermostat more and more, you should also reach for your phone to set up 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 a closer look at what this crucial yearly task includes and why you shouldn’t neglect it.

What Does Furnace Maintenance Involve?

A maintenance visit is a surefire way to get your heating system up to par. Although the specific tasks depend on the type and age of your unit, you can usually expect your technician to complete the following:

• Examine and clean the burner: Over the years, dirt and debris can clog the burner, affecting its performance. Cleaning it restores ideal heat transfer.
• Test the gas valves: Ensuring these valves are completely open and performing properly is crucial for safe furnace operation.
• Look over the heat exchanger: A cracked heat exchanger can result in carbon monoxide leaks, so it’s crucial to check that no cracks are present.
• Evaluate and tighten electrical elements: Loose connections can make your furnace dangerous and inefficient. Fortunately, tightening them is a fast and easy task.
• Clean the blower: A grungy blower has an effect on your furnace’s ability to distribute warm air through your home. Cleaning and balancing the fan ensures the best airflow.
• Change the air filter: Clean air filters enable proper airflow throughout your system, which is why you should always replace a clogged air filter in your furnace. Installing a fresh, new air filter also improves indoor air quality if you install an efficient enough filtration system.

Why It’s Helpful to Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance

If your furnace appears to be running fine, is it still useful to schedule a maintenance tune-up? Consider these four reasons why the answer is a resounding “yes”:

• Reduce mid-season malfunctions: Nothing is worse than waking up on a chilly winter morning to discover your furnace has stopped working. Unexpected breakdowns are aggravating and can leave you scrambling to find a repairman. Annual furnace maintenance decreases the chance of unexpected issues because your service tech inspects every part of your system, catching minor issues before they snowball into costly repairs.
• Less expensive repair costs: It’s a simple equation—the sooner you find a problem, the less expensive it is to fix. By investing in affordable, planned maintenance visits, you can avoid expensive, inconvenient repairs, keeping more money in your pocket.
• Maximize your furnace’s life expectancy: Like a well-maintained car, a furnace that receives routine tune-ups will likely last longer than an unattended heating system. Annual maintenance helps prevent the expense of untimely furnace replacement by increasing your system’s life span.
• Improve energy efficiency: A well-maintained heating system operates more efficiently. When all the components are clean and in good working order, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your household cozy. This decreases your power bills and diminishes your environmental impact.
• Enhance indoor air quality: Polluted indoor air aggravates allergies and respiratory diseases. The air filter in your furnace traps dust, pollen and other airborne irritants to reduce these problems. During a maintenance tune-up, the HVAC tech will change the air filter at your request, ensuring cleaner air flows through your home.
• Increases safety: A furnace that needs repair is not only inefficient, it also could be dangerous. Cracked heat exchangers or broken gas valves can lead to harmful carbon monoxide leaks. Knowing your system has has received a thorough examination during routine maintenance should give you a sense of comfort this winter.

What Season Should You Plan 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 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 important, you can complete several tasks yourself so that your furnace runs smoothly between visits:

• Replace 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 exterior 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 visit, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is a heating and cooling team you can rely on. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, long-lasting answers to all your furnace and air conditioning dilemmas. We’re proud to deliver solutions to our community and strive to make a meaningful difference in your life and sense of comfort. We even provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee to put your mind at ease. To make sure your furnace is ready for cold weather, call 954-736-4314 today to schedule furnace maintenance with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.