The Value of Annual Furnace Maintenance

As the temperature dips and you find yourself reaching for the thermostat more often, you should also reach for your phone to set up annual furnace maintenance. Ensuring your furnace runs optimally this winter boosts your comfort, safety and peace of mind all season long.

Here’s a closer look at what this crucial preventive task includes and why you shouldn’t neglect it.

What Does Furnace Maintenance Involve?

A maintenance call is an easy way to get your heating system up to par. Although the exact tasks depend on the type and age of your system, you can normally expect your technician to perform the following:

Check and clean the burner: In time, dirt and debris can block the burner, affecting its performance. Cleaning it brings back the best possible heat transfer.
Test the gas valves: Making sure these valves are fully open and operating properly is crucial for safe furnace operation.
Examine the heat exchanger: A cracked heat exchanger can lead to carbon monoxide leaks, so it’s crucial to make sure no cracks are present.
Evaluate and tighten electrical elements: Loose connections can make your system unsafe and inefficient. Thankfully, tightening them is a fast and easy job.
Clean the blower: A grimy blower affects your furnace’s ability to move warm air around your home. Cleaning and balancing the fan makes certain that your home has optimal airflow.
Replace the air filter: Clean air filters enable necessary 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 increases indoor air quality if you choose an effective filtration system.

Reasons to Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance

If your furnace looks like it is running fine, is it still useful to schedule a maintenance visit? Here is why that’s the case:

Reduce mid-season failures: Few things are more discouraging than waking up on a chilly winter morning to learn your furnace has stopped working. Sudden breakdowns are aggravating and can leave you scrambling to find a repairman. Annual furnace maintenance lowers the chance of unexpected problems because your service tech looks over every part of your system, catching minor issues before they turn into costly repairs.
Lower repair costs: It’s a simple equation—the earlier you discover a problem, the less expensive it is to correct. By investing in affordable, scheduled maintenance visits, you can avoid costly, inconvenient repairs, keeping more money in your pocket.
Increase your furnace’s life span: Like a well-maintained car, a furnace that receives routine tune-ups will most likely last longer than a neglected heating system. Annual maintenance saves you the expense of premature furnace replacement by adding years to your system’s life span.
Improve energy efficiency: A well-maintained heating system works 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 warm. This reduces your power bills and lessens your environmental impact.
Better indoor air quality: Polluted indoor air aggravates allergies and respiratory diseases. The air filter in your furnace traps dust, pollen and other airborne particles to reduce these issues. During a maintenance tune-up, the heating professional 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, there’s a chance it also might be dangerous. Cracked heat exchangers or defective gas valves can produce harmful carbon monoxide leaks. Knowing your system has been inspected for any possible safety issues should give you peace of mind this winter.

When Should You Plan Your Maintenance Visit?

To experience the most benefits, it’s best to plan annual furnace maintenance in the fall before winter’s chill gets to your area. This gives you time to make sure any issues are addressed before you need to rely heavily on your heating system.

Do-It-Yourself Furnace Maintenance Between Appointments

Though professional maintenance is important, you can do several tasks yourself to keep your furnace running smoothly between visits:

Switch out the air filter every 30 to 90 days to increase airflow.
Make sure all of your return and supply registers are open and unobstructed for system balance.
Vacuum the outside of the furnace with the brush attachment to make sure it stays 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 count on. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, long-lasting solutions to all your comfort dilemmas. We’re proud to deliver solutions to our community and focus on making a big difference in your everyday life and sense of comfort. We even provide 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.