Furnace Maintenance: How Often Should I Have My Furnace Serviced?

Furnace Maintenance: How Often Should I Have My Furnace Serviced?

Maintaining your furnace is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home comfortable and safe. Not only does regular furnace maintenance help to ensure that your furnace runs smoothly and efficiently all winter long, but it can also help to prevent costly repairs down the road.

Most homeowners should have their furnace and heat exchanger inspected and serviced at least once a year, preferably in the fall before the cold weather sets in. By taking this simple step and getting regular maintenance on your furnace, you can help to ensure that your family stays warm all winter long and save money by not having to worry about expensive repair bills.

Why Annual Furnace Inspection is Important

Furnace maintenance is important for two main reasons. First, furnace maintenance can help to identify small problems before they become larger ones. By scheduling regular furnace servicing, you can make sure that your furnace is running efficiently and safely throughout the winter months.

Why Annual Furnace Inspection is Important

Second, furnace maintenance helps to extend the life of your furnace by keeping it clean and free of dirt, dust, and other debris. By getting your furnace serviced annually, you can help to ensure that it lasts for many years before needing to be replaced.

Do You Really Need a Yearly Inspection on your Furnace?

Absolutely, furnace maintenance is an important part of keeping your furnace in top condition and working efficiently. Without regular servicing and maintenance, you may find that your furnace needs costly repairs more often or even stops working altogether. By having your furnace serviced once a year, you can help to ensure that it’s running smoothly all winter long.

Is Furnace Maintenance a DIY Project?

There are many do it yourself projects you can take on when it comes to home improvement, but furnace maintenance is not one of those. Furnace maintenance is something that should be left to the professional HVAC technicians. Even if you’re an experienced DIYer, furnace maintenance can be a tricky and dangerous task that requires specialized tools and equipment. A professional HVAC technician will have the right tools, knowledge, and experience to make sure that your furnace is running safely and efficiently for years to come.

The Cost of Annual Furnace Maintenance

The cost of furnace maintenance will vary depending on the age and condition of your furnace, as well as any additional repairs that may need to be made. In most cases, furnace maintenance costs between $80-$250. This is a small price to pay in comparison to the cost of furnace repairs or replacement down the line. Some companies will also offer discounts which can lower the price.

Signs You Need Furnace Tune-Up

There are several signs that indicate it’s time for furnace maintenance, including:

  • Unusual noises coming from your furnace
  • Your furnace is cycling on and off frequently
  • Your furnace is not heating your home efficiently
  • You’ve noticed an increase in your energy bills

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to contact a professional HVAC technician right away to have your furnace serviced.

Professional Furnace Inspection by an HVAC Technician

During an annual furnace inspection, a professional HVAC technician will check all the components of your furnace to make sure it is running efficiently and safely. This typically includes:

  • Checking the furnace blower motor
  • Cleaning or replacing furnace filters
  • Inspecting furnace ducts for any blockages
  • Testing furnace safety controls
  • Lubricating furnace parts
  • Checking furnace wiring and connections

By having all these components inspected, your furnace will be running at peak performance throughout the winter months. Even if some of these components are working as they should they may be using too much energy and on the verge of failure. Catching problems such as this can help to reduce a failure later during colder weather.

Add Time to the Lifespan of Your Furnace

Furnace maintenance is an important part of maintaining your furnace and extending its life. By scheduling furnace servicing once a year, you can help to ensure that your furnace is running efficiently and safely for years to come.

Prevent Heating Problems This Winter

Not only is furnace maintenance important for extending the life of your furnace, but it can also help to prevent more costly furnace repairs down the line. Professional furnace servicing can help to identify any potential problems before they become a bigger issue which could result in a furnace replacement.

Maintain Healthy Indoor Air Quality

Furnace maintenance isn’t just about keeping your furnace running efficiently, it’s also about maintaining healthy indoor air quality. During an annual maintenance the tech will change the air filter of your system to help with air quality. Your furnace filters should be regularly cleaned or replaced as this can help to improve the overall air quality in your home.

Detect Dangerous Conditions Such as Carbon Monoxide Leaks with an Annual Inspection

Also, annual furnace maintenance performed on your HVAC system can help to detect any dangerous conditions such as carbon monoxide leaks. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is extremely toxic and regular furnace maintenance can help to ensure that your furnace isn’t leaking this deadly gas. You should also have a working carbon monoxide detector as well. You can find them on Amazon. Here are a few to consider:

Maintain Your Manufacturer’s Warranty on your Furnace

Most furnace manufacturers require furnace maintenance at least once a year in order to maintain your furnace warranty and requires service records to be kept. Some may even require two furnace inspections per year by a professional service. Make sure you check with the manufacturer if they have any requirements regarding furnace servicing so that you don’t void your warranty.

Make the Furnace More Energy Efficient and Reduce Energy Bills

When you get annual furnace service performed it can help to make your furnace more energy efficient and save on energy costs. Over time furnace components can wear out and this can cause them to use more energy than they should be. By having a furnace inspection performed, the technician can identify any problems or inefficiencies and make recommendations on how to improve your furnace’s energy efficiency.

FAQs

How long does a house furnace last?

The expected lifespan of a furnace is usually between 15 and 20 years. With regular furnace maintenance, you can help to extend the life of your furnace.

What is included in a furnace inspection?

During an annual furnace inspection, a professional HVAC technician will check all the components of your furnace to make sure it is running efficiently and safely. This typically includes checking furnace wiring and connections, testing furnace safety controls, and lubricating furnace parts.

What are common home furnace problems?

Common furnace problems include leaking, inadequate heating, furnace not turning on, furnace not blowing hot air, and furnace making loud noises.

Do gas furnaces require annual routine maintenance?

Yes, gas furnaces should be serviced at least once a year to help ensure that it is running efficiently and safely.

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