The summer months are full of sun, fun, and vacations. Depending on where you live, you also probably rely on your home’s air conditioning to keep your house cool and comfortable during the summer. However, the fall ushers in the winter heating season once the summer months are over. While the winter brings lots of fun and the holidays, it also brings the critical need for a properly working furnace. When the summer months end, you need to start thinking about a furnace service to ensure that your home is ready for colder weather.
Many homeowners operate under the philosophy that if something isn’t broken, you shouldn’t fix it. Thinking this way fails to recognize the importance of regular furnace maintenance. While the furnace may be operating and running as it should, without maintenance, it is only a matter of time before you wake up on a cold winter night without heat. A furnace that isn’t properly maintained is susceptible to a host of issues that could cause breakdowns and system failure. When your furnace stops working, you could be left out in the cold, literally. Scheduling an annual tune-up can help you avoid costly repairs and uncomfortable indoor temperatures. So, when should you schedule furnace service?
HVAC technicians suggest that homeowners get regular maintenance performed on their heating and air conditioning system at least twice a year. You should have your air conditioning service in the spring, and a furnace tune up completed every fall. Fall is the best time to schedule furnace maintenance to tune up your equipment and fix any minor issues before you need to rely on your heating system. Similar to stretching before going on a long run, you want to make sure that your furnace is ready to meet the demands of the winter season before you need it. Let’s look at the importance of scheduling furnace service every fall.
Ensured Furnace Health
In general, HVAC experts and manufacturers believe that your furnace should last about 20 years. With the right care, proper maintenance, and regular tune-ups, however, you could ensure the health of your equipment for much longer than the expected life span. During the winter months, your furnace has to work overtime to deliver warm air and combat the frigid conditions outside. Depending on where you live, your heating system could face a heavy workload during the winter.
Without proper maintenance, several daunting heating seasons could wear your system down. Regular service every fall will ensure that a technician inspects your furnace, cleans and lubricates the internal parts, and takes care of any issues to prepare your equipment. Routine maintenance in the fall will get your furnace ready for the winter and keep it running at peak performance for many seasons.
Equipment Safety
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Regular wear and tear could create minor problems during normal operation, such as small cracks, leaks, loose belts, and other issues. In general, these smaller issues won’t prevent your equipment from running. However, small problems could lead to serious safety hazards if left unaddressed. Your furnace is a piece of complex equipment that relies on flammable materials and high temperatures to operate. Under certain conditions, problems within your furnace could threaten your home or family. Blocked vents, dirty burners, loose connections, and other things could create a fire hazard. Additionally, a cracked heat exchanger could lead to carbon monoxide leaks that cause serious health consequences if unnoticed. Regular furnace maintenance every fall will address any potential safety issues and help provide you with peace of mind.
From preventing costly repairs, extending the life of your equipment, and ensuring safe operation, fall furnace maintenance is key to keeping your equipment running in top shape. Getting your system checked out every fall will help you be sure that your heating system is ready for the demands of the winter season.
