It’s one of those things we all know we should do, but very few people actually do it. An annual furnace tune-up is just as important as a yearly car inspection, or even an annual physical with your doctor.
Photo by Riccardo Bresciani from Pexels
Things may be going wrong that we don’t realize are happening, which only leads to them getting worse. With an annual furnace tune-up, you can avoid a long list of potential problems, prevent potentially dangerous situations, and save money.
So while you know you should get that tune-up, you may not know exactly why. Read on to learn the many benefits of calling in a professional furnace technician once a year.
What is Involved in a Professional Furnace Tune-Up?
A professional furnace technician understands the ins and outs of the entire complex system. They will perform a tune-up and be able to identify any potential problems before they cause a system failure.
Here are some of the tasks that a professional will complete during a tune-up:
- Cleaning the heating system of dust, dirt, and grime that may affect performance.
- Checking the thermostat settings to ensure they are energy-efficient and heating your home properly.
- Checking for any ductwork leaks, which could be costing you more money on your energy bill.
- Conducting a combustion analysis of the exhaust, which involves checking the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
- Checking for wear and tear in the flame sensor and the ignitor.
- Performing safety inspections, as needed.
- Checking for and clearing condensate lines.
If you’re looking for a professional furnace technician in the Calgary area, check out https://furnace-repair-calgary.ca/.
What Are the Benefits of an Annual Furnace Tune-Up?
So now that you know some of the tasks involved in a heating system tune-up, let’s look into why it’s so important.
Reduces the Need for Repairs
If something goes wrong with your heating system, a repair is going to be both more work and more money. Why not reduce the need for repair in the first place?
Much like your annual car inspection, an annual furnace tune-up is required even if your car is running smoothly. This is to make sure everything is on track and there are no safety risks occurring.
A professional furnace technician knows exactly what to look for, and can identify any problems before they become worse. They also work on cleaning the system to extend its life and keep it running efficiently. You may be able to trade off a simple fix now for more in-depth labor down the road.
Saves Money on Your Energy Bill
This one might be hard to believe, but investing in an annual tune-up can save you money down the road. When your system isn’t running efficiently, or if you have leaks in the ductwork, you will use up more energy and spend more money.
The Building Efficiency Initiative found that effective maintenance of HVAC systems can reduce energy costs by 5% to 40%, depending on the system and equipment involved. That’s a huge saving and would more than pay back the cost of an annual tune-up.
Helps Detect Dangers
Furnaces produce heat through burning fuel. This combustion process must be precise in order to prevent dangerous gas leaks, like carbon monoxide. If a unit is operating efficiently, carbon monoxide is safely vented out of your home.
If your furnace develops a crack in its heat exchanger or flue pipes, however, it can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your house. Why is this so dangerous? Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. Exposure to this gas can cause serious health issues, including death.
As a way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, the CDC recommends having your furnace inspected every year. You’ll also want to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home near every sleeping room and get those inspected yearly as well.
Keeps You Warm All Winter
An ideal time to get your furnace inspected is during the summer months. While you may not be thinking much about your heat during that time, this preventative measure can ensure that you stay warm and cozy during those cold months.
A furnace technician will ensure that everything in your system is running smoothly so that your home will be properly heated. There’s nothing worse than cranking up the thermostat only to find that you still can’t get warm – especially in the middle of a cold snap!
It’s much wiser to get any possible repairs done in the summer, rather than dealing with a winter emergency and having to wait on a repair technician while you sit at home with no heat!
Protects Your Warranty
If your heater is under a manufacturer’s warranty, it’s particularly important to get regular checkups. If something does go wrong and you need to cash out on that warranty, they are going to want proof that the system has been well-maintained.
Invest in a Tune-Up
As much as you might be tempted to sweep this new to-do under the rug, you might want to reconsider. An annual furnace tune-up is one of the best ways to keep your heating system well-maintained. It will help to prevent larger problems, ensure efficient heating, and best of all, save you money on energy costs. Call up a pro and leave the hard work to them.