When you care for your furnace, you can expect years of effortless warmth and comfort in return. Make sure to perform regular home furnace maintenance, though, and you may find yourself left out in the cold! While modern furnaces are fairly low maintenance, they do require regular oversight and cleaning to ensure optimal performance. Many of the furnace repair calls we receive are from homeowners who neglect their maintenance routines. By prioritizing a proactive approach to furnace maintenance, you can ensure the health of your system—and minimize emergency furnace repairs.
Why Is Furnace Service Important?
Furnace preventative maintenance can go a long way to keep your system working as efficiently as possible. For example, regularly changing your air filters is essential to keeping your furnace working properly. Dirty air filters significantly reduce the effectiveness of your furnace. That’s because air filters remove pollutants like pet hair, dander, dirt, and dust. When they become clogged, your furnace has to work twice as hard to generate the same amount of heat.
Furnace maintenance is also essential for the health and safety of your family. When air filters become clogged, you may start to notice more allergens floating through the air. In addition, your unit can start to grow mold and mildew and collect dust. All of these particles are released whenever your furnace is turned on. Breathing in these pollutants can have serious health implications.
What Does a Furnace Tune-up Include?
When we come out to your home or business for a furnace maintenance appointment, we will answer all of your questions. After taking a look at your system, we’ll walk you through our maintenance procedures and advise you on how to care for your furnace.
A thorough tune-up starts with testing the entire system and its safety controls. Then we’ll clean the coils, burners, and various components. We will adjust or repair electrical components as needed and will perform a combustion analysis to determine the effectiveness of your system.
Next, we’ll adjust air and fuel rations before testing and cleaning the flame sensor. We’ll remove soot from the burners and perform an inspection of the heat exchanger. Finally, we’ll test the condenser fan motor capacitor, check service valves for leaks, and replace the air filter.
We’ll also make recommendations for any necessary repairs and ensure you’re set up with a follow-up visit for any additional maintenance needs.
When to Consider a Furnace Replacement
Replacing any heating or cooling system is costly, requiring both time and money. You’ll want to consider your heater replacement thoroughly before the winter begins. While replacement might be expensive, it could be your best option in the long run. A more efficient system will cost less to operate and requires less maintenance.
Consider these factors before making your decision about replacing a furnace:
- Safety — If your furnace is a safety liability, always replace it.
- Age — Furnaces only last 15-20 years. If you’re in that window of time, consider a replacement.
- Cost — Get quotes for repair and replacement (including installation) to make an accurate decision. Aire Serv offers free in-home estimates for heater replacement needs.
- Efficiency — Even with regular maintenance, a dying furnace will lose energy efficiency over time. If your bills continue to rise despite frequent repairs, it might be time for a new model.
Why Choose Aire Serv for Furnace Maintenance Service
Perhaps the main reason to choose your local Aire Serv professionals is that we are as reliable as we are knowledgeable. We also work around the clock to deliver the results you need on a timeline that works for your busy schedule. Whether you’re in need of furnace repair or a complete furnace replacement, our team of experts will get the job done right - our Neighbourly Done Right Promise™ is your guarantee.
Contact Us for a Free Quote
Ready to schedule your furnace maintenance appointment? Schedule an appointment online today! We’re happy to provide you with a free quote and excellent service, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace Maintenance
How much does furnace maintenance cost?
Home furnace maintenance costs vary depending on your location and the system you’re using. Typically, you can expect to pay between $100-$200 for a maintenance service appointment. Depending on the specific maintenance recommendations for your system, though, this price can increase or decrease accordingly.
What are some common furnace problems?
Dirty ductwork and old filters are among the most common furnace issues. Furnace preventative maintenance can go a long way to keep these issues at bay. Other common furnace problems include faulty starting mechanisms, broken blower components, gas leaks, tripped circuit breakers, and a malfunctioning heat exchanger.
How often should furnace maintenance be performed?
Furnace maintenance should be performed at least once a year. For best results, however, it’s best to schedule service appointments every six months. Spring and fall maintenance can ensure your system always works as it should.
How long do furnaces last?
The average furnace lifespan can run anywhere between 15 and 20 years. With proper furnace maintenance, you can get as much life out of your system as possible. Of course, if you neglect to perform routine maintenance, you may see your furnace break down frequently. To protect your investment, it’s best to take a proactive approach to furnace maintenance.