Getting your furnace a tune-up before turning it on is always a good idea, as it will help prevent problems that can develop later on. A furnace is designed to last many years, but its lifespan is significantly reduced without proper maintenance. Pre-season inspections and maintenance will help maintain the system’s functionality and increase energy efficiency. When your furnace is functioning at peak performance, it will keep your house warm when the temperatures drop. Pre-season maintenance will give you confidence in your furnace functioning well when winter comes. Here are some reasons pre-season checks are essential to your furnace.
1. Reduce Energy Usage
Any homeowner needs to reduce their energy consumption and save energy and money. A properly maintained furnace uses less energy and is more efficient. Heating can account for about 50% of your home’s total energy consumption. Cleaning the filters will ensure proper airflow throughout the home and prevents the furnace from straining. Regular furnace maintenance is the best solution to increase its functionality and reduce utility bills.
2. Prevent Furnace Breakdown
The furnace is a durable and robust heating system, but it can become finicky if it doesn’t receive proper servicing. Furnace repairs are entirely preventable in most cases. However, repairs should be done as soon as possible to ensure the problem does not become severe. Pre-season checkups will provide a few repairs and keep the furnace in good condition. Avoiding regular checkups could result in frequent shutdowns and, eventually, a total breakdown of the furnace.
3. Prolong the Lifespan of Your Furnace
Your furnace will last longer if it is much cleaner and better maintained. Routine checkups on your furnace will help keep your unit in peak condition. A maintenance technician will check and test your furnace’s components to identify any issues that may cause later problems. The technician also checks the safety controls and ensures you know the current state of your furnace. Extending the lifespan of your furnace will ensure you get a return on investment from your heating system.
4. Ensure Quality Indoor Air
Maintaining quality indoor air within a household is crucial as it helps create a healthy environment. The air your furnace blows throughout your home should be clean and free of pollutants. A furnace has an air filter that traps dust and debris from the intake duct. However, with time these particles build up on the filter and the other components. The blower fans will spread these allergens as the furnace runs to keep your home warm. Routine maintenance will ensure the air filters are cleaned and changed regularly. The internal components of your furnace will also be cleaned to prevent dirt from building up. A clean furnace will produce clean air and ensure a healthy, comfortable environment in the home.
5. Detect Potential Dangers
Just like any other machine, a furnace requires regular maintenance to ensure it runs safely in the home. Some furnaces burn fuel to produce heat, so it is essential to ensure the combustion process occurs efficiently. The furnace will produce toxic carbon monoxide if the fuel does not burn completely. The gas is hard to detect since it is odorless and colorless. Gas leaks in the furnace are also serious since gas is highly flammable and can cause a fire or explosion. High levels of carbon monoxide in the house can cause headaches and nausea among the occupants and can lead to death in some cases. Pre-season checks will help identify any safety risks and keep your furnace up to code.
6. Maintaining Your Warranty
A 10-year warranty is offered for most furnaces when the unit is purchased. A well-maintained furnace can last for an extended period; hence it is necessary to check if the unit is still viable for the warranty. When cashing out the warranty, the manufacturer will ask you to provide servicing records to show that proper care of the unit has been done. If a unit is found to have accrued damage due to neglect of repairing and lack of proper maintenance by a professional, the warranty becomes void. Regular checkups will ensure the furnace functions effectively and avoid any severe damage.
7. Ensure the Furnace Runs Efficiently
Your furnace is composed of moving parts that tear and wear down with time due to friction. Some pieces will wear down faster when the furnace is used extensively for a prolonged period. Components that are worn out reduce the system’s efficiency and create strain as the furnace works harder to accommodate functionality. The furnace can also break down if a part is worn out, leading to significant damage. Maintaining and replacing the various components in the furnace will ensure it runs properly and reduces the chance of parts failing.
8. Reduces Repairs and Saves Time
Regular checkups ensure that issues that have the potential to cause severe damage to the system are remedied on time. It reduces the number of repairs done to the furnace simultaneously because most of the unit’s parts will function properly. It is also best to do these checkups at the end of fall before winter sets in since that is when you require your furnace the most. When repairs are done to the furnace before it runs, it becomes much more effective and makes the system run efficiently.
9. Save on Costs
When your furnace runs at maximum efficiency, it works less to produce the required heat. Repairs cost money but help to prevent severe damages from occurring later on, which can have higher costs. Regular maintenance cuts down replacement costs that can be accrued down the road when the whole system fails. It is often less expensive to fix a minor issue than catastrophic failure. Pre-season checkups will ensure repairs are done frequently to ensure full functionality of your furnace saving on costs from unexpected damages.
10. Peace of Mind
Home equipment can fail at any time, and this becomes a constant thing to worry about as a homeowner. When a particular system fails, that is when people realize its importance. The situation becomes difficult to resolve and brings about substantial repair bills. Pre-season checks will let you know the state of your furnace, and regular maintenance will help find problems before they develop. If a problem is seen during a checkup, it is fixed to avoid future damage to the furnace.
The best time to get your furnace serviced is before a season change. It ensures the furnace is working well and in peak condition, ready to run efficiently. As a homeowner, ensuring your heating system does not suffer from mechanical malfunction is crucial. Checkups will protect your furnace, ensuring the unit is up and running during the next season.
AC by J offers high-quality heating, cooling, and plumbing services to the residents of Scottsdale, AZ and surrounding communities. The full range of our services includes air conditioning, 24/7 emergency services, mini-split systems, VRF/ERV Systems, whole-house fans, ventilation, and refrigeration. Humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, UV lights, filters, IAQ testing, air scrubbers, air balancing, zoning systems, thermostats, and home energy audits services are also included. For more information about our services or to schedule a tune-up for your heating system, contact us at AC by J.
