Each year, before the cold weather arrives, it’s a good idea to have professional maintenance conducted on your furnace, so it can stay in tip-top shape for the coming season. Most HVAC experts agree that an annual furnace inspection and maintenance will do a world of good for your heating system, saving energy, prolonging furnace life, and minimizing any health risks.
Furnace manufacturers also agree that an annual servicing and maintenance will be highly beneficial for the unit and its efficiency during the heating season. When your furnace gets ignored for an extended period of time, a lot more things will go wrong, whereas regular maintenance will help avoid major breakdowns and extend the life of your furnace.
Benefits of a furnace inspection
It has been estimated that as many as 75% of all emergency calls for loss of heating service are attributable to a lack of maintenance. When a furnace is not serviced periodically, it can suddenly stop operating and leave you in the cold, sometimes at the most inopportune moments. It’s also possible that an un-serviced furnace can become a health hazard, since carbon monoxide leaks can occur.
Carbon monoxide has no odor or color and is virtually undetectable, but it can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and in cases of prolonged exposure, it can be fatal. Each year, approximately 500 people die and another 15,000 must be admitted to emergency rooms due to carbon monoxide exposure. Another aspect of overlooking maintenance on your furnace is that it might very well run less efficiently, and that will cause it to work harder, which means your monthly heating bill is very likely to begin rising.
Cost of a furnace inspection
For most furnaces, the cost of a servicing and furnace tuneup will be less than $100, and there are a number of services included in that HVAC tuneup. Your heating system will be cleaned, so that it’s more efficient and saves you money. All controls will be checked for safety, and your HVAC specialist will ensure that the furnace is at its peak operating level, so that your entire household can be comfortable throughout the winter time.
Most furnace tuneups also include a check of the thermostat settings to make sure they’re working normally, and all electrical connections will be checked, so as to avoid any potential component failures. In addition, any moving parts will be lubricated so they don’t seize up during operation, and the controls for startup and shutdown will be inspected to make sure they’re in good shape. If your filter needs cleaning or replacement, you shop our online filter store: Click Here To Learn More
Energy-saving tips
After your furnace has been inspected and serviced, there are some things you can do yourself which will help to save money on your monthly utility bills. One of the most important things you can do is make sure that the air filter is changed regularly, at least every three months. The reason for this is that when an air filter becomes clogged, it will restrict airflow, and that can cause your furnace to work harder.
It will also affect the health of your family members, because it’s possible that pollutants from the environment will be circulated throughout your household. Another really good idea for saving money is to have a programmable thermostat installed. When you have a programmable thermostat, you’ll be able to dial down the temperature for several hours each day, normally during sleeping hours.
This can save you a significant amount of money on your heating bills, because your furnace won’t have to work so hard to keep the household warm. Some studies have shown that as much as 30% can be saved on utility bills by dialing down the household temperature by 7 or 8°, for eight hours of each day.
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