As the heating season approaches, it is crucial to ensure that your furnace is functioning efficiently and effectively. Your furnace is an essential part of keeping your home warm and cozy during chilly evenings, especially in winter. Like all other forms of machinery, maintenance is critical for its longevity.
Regular cleaning and upkeep of your furnace is an essential step to keep it in good shape. However, most homeowners are unsure of when to schedule their furnace for maintenance. In this blog, we will explain how to know if your furnace needs cleaning, the benefits of furnace cleaning, and what happens during a furnace cleaning appointment.
How Often Should Your Furnace Be Maintained?
While manufacturers recommend annual furnace maintenance, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to skip a year or two between inspections. However, we recommend scheduling furnace maintenance at least once a year to ensure that your furnace is clean and in good working condition.
Regular furnace cleaning and annual servicing can prolong the lifespan of your furnace, enhance energy efficiency, and minimize the likelihood of sudden breakdowns that result in the need for furnace repair. Unfortunately, some homeowners wait until their dirty furnace completely breaks down before remedying the situation. Regular maintenance can detect and repair any heating system issues before they become severe and costly.
What Happens During a Furnace Cleaning Appointment?
During a furnace cleaning appointment, a qualified technician will perform the following checks:
Inspection of the Furnace
The technician will inspect the furnace to check for any potential cracks, leaks, or damaged parts. We inspect the incoming gas pipe, fuel shutoff valve, electrical power supply, flame sensor, blower motor, hot surface igniter, exhaust flue, and all other furnace components to ensure proper operation.
Replace the Furnace Filter
If needed, the technician will replace the air filter in your furnace. Replacing the furnace filter reduces dust accumulation, extends the life of the furnace, and ensures proper air flow.
Test the Thermostat
A functioning thermostat helps to regulate a consistent temperature throughout the house. The technician will check your thermostat to ensure that it is working correctly.
Lubrication of Moving Parts
The technician will lubricate moving parts in the blower motor and elsewhere to reduce wear and tear on the furnace, enhance its performance, and increase its lifespan.
Clean a Furnace
The technician will clean the furnace, removing any loose particles and grime from the furnace’s exterior and interior, including the blower assembly, heat exchanger block, flame sensor, combustion chamber, and other components.
Check Carbon Monoxide Levels
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that has no taste, color, or smell. During a furnace cleaning appointment, the technician will check your furnace for carbon monoxide levels to ensure safe operation.
What Are the Benefits of Furnace Cleaning?
Furnace maintenance is one of the most neglected aspects of homeownership. Sadly, many people assume that a furnace will function efficiently no matter how long it has been in use. However, just like any other machinery, furnaces require regular maintenance to function at optimal capacity. The benefits of regular furnace maintenance are extensive – here’s why you should make it a top priority.
Increased Energy Efficiency
Regular furnace maintenance ensures that your heating system operates at optimal capacity. An efficiently functioning furnace reduces the amount of energy used to heat your home. Inspecting and cleaning the furnace, replacing worn-out parts, and servicing components helps to reduce energy bills.
Increased Safety
Furnaces can pose a safety hazard when they malfunction or are not serviced regularly. That is why regular furnace maintenance is crucial in ensuring that the heating system operates safely. Furnace technicians will check for fresh air ventilation, gas leaks, and the overall functionality of the system. This ensures that the furnace remains safe and hazard-free.
Longer Furnace Lifespan
Regular furnace maintenance helps to prolong the life of your heating system. Over time, furnace parts wear out, putting more stress on the system. By scheduling annual furnace maintenance with a licensed technician, you will extend the life of your furnace and prolong the need for expensive furnace replacement.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Over time, accumulation of contaminants can cause the furnace to malfunction, resulting in lower efficiency and poor air quality. Regular maintenance can help prevent this build-up by cleaning and replacing filters, removing debris, and checking for any potential issues. In addition, professionals can identify any mold or other microbial growth that may be present, which can cause significant health problems.
Cost Savings
Regular furnace maintenance may seem like an added expense, but it will save you money in the long run. Scheduling routine maintenance helps to identify potential problems early on. Early detection of a problem means that it can be repaired before it becomes more significant. This helps to avoid emergency repairs, which can be expensive.
Keep Your Furnace Clean with Baggett Heating & Cooling
Don’t wait until your furnace breaks down; schedule regular maintenance with a qualified technician. Contact Baggett Heating & Cooling today to schedule an appointment for furnace maintenance. We are committed to ensuring your comfort and safety all season long.
