The winter months are almost upon us. As the temperatures drop, your furnace will have lots of work to do to keep your home warm. It’s important you do your part to make sure it’s up to the task.
An annual furnace service will make sure there are no frosty surprises waiting for you this winter. It’ll also increase the lifespan of your furnace, keep you safe, and even help you reduce your heating bills.
We at Waywest Mechanical are often asked: Is furnace maintenance important? The answer is yes. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to outline all the reasons a yearly maintenance plan is so crucial for your home and your health. Let’s dive in.
Call 250-729-2394 for general service, or 250-616-1446 for 24 hour emergency services.
Ensuring Effective Airflow and Distribution
Your furnace’s air handler and blower motor move warm air through your ductwork to heat your home. However, following a heating season or a long period of dormancy in the hotter months, these components often become clogged with dust, dirt, debris, and dander.
This reduces the efficiency of your heating system, costing you more money each air conditioning season. A blockage can also be a significant safety concern if it causes the furnace to overheat.
Annual furnace cleaning and maintenance will make sure your airflow and distribution system is efficient and safe, keeping your comfort levels high and your bills lower during winter.
Preventing Problems With Combustion and Heat Generation
The burner and combustion chamber provide the heat that warms your home by burning combustion gases, like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and propane.
This process is completely safe when the furnace is well-maintained, but if the heat exchanger cracks due to overheating, these harmful toxins may be released into your home, leading to health problems for you and your family.
Airflow obstructions are the primary cause of this damage. When the furnace can’t get enough airflow, this can cause heat stress, leading to wear and tear. A faulty flame sensor, pilot light, or ignitor can also cause the unit to cycle repeatedly, leading to heat damage over time.
During your annual furnace maintenance service, your HVAC technician will assess and repair all of these components to keep your furnace efficient and your home safe for the coming year.
Mitigating Air Filter Safety Concerns
Your air filter makes sure the only thing circulating your home is warm air. But if this filter becomes dirty or damaged, it can’t do its job properly. This can release harmful airborne pollutants, like dust mites, mould spores, and excess water vapour into your home, affecting your indoor air quality.
A licensed HVAC technician will assess and clean your furnace filter during your annual maintenance. If they identify a problem, they’ll replace it on your behalf.
Promoting Overall Safety and Efficiency
During the annual check-up of your HVAC system, your technician will also evaluate all of your furnace’s safety features.
For example, your expert will check the gas valve and limit switch to ensure they’re working as intended, helping to prevent costly furnace repairs and dangerous malfunctions. Crucially, they’ll also evaluate the thermocouple, the device that shuts off the gas if the pilot light isn’t working. If required, they will even install carbon monoxide detectors to keep you and your family safe.
When any of these furnace components fail, it’s all too easy to miss the problem until the damage has already been done. A qualified HVAC technician will identify causes for concern early, keeping your unit running efficiently and safely all winter.
Improving Energy Efficiency
Regular maintenance also keeps your home’s heating regulated and controlled. By calibrating the thermostat settings, your technician can prevent the unit from overworking or underperforming. This contributes to more reliable, even temperatures throughout your home.
Your technician can also assist with your zoning system, letting you benefit from personalized temperature control in different rooms.
By making these calibrations, you can increase your Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), lowering your energy bills by keeping your furnace running efficiently. As you can see, regular furnace inspections benefit you in more ways than one.
Ensuring The Longevity of Your Furnace
Overheating and faulty components can significantly impact your furnace’s efficiency. This leads to inefficient heating, frequent breakdowns, rising energy bills and, eventually, an early end to your furnace’s life.
Your furnace’s annual tune-up will keep your unit on the top of its game for longer. It prevents issues that could lead to bigger problems if left unfixed. A furnace should last up to two decades if kept in good condition. It’s better to tackle problems proactively than
Summing Up
Regular maintenance is absolutely essential for the wellbeing of your furnace, your home, and your family. While your annual check-up does cost money, it’s a flash in the pan compared to the cost of replacing the whole furnace system down the line.
A licensed HVAC technician will help you identify and address problems early before they become serious concerns. To schedule regular maintenance is to make a valuable investment that protects your safety, keeps you comfortable, and saves money over the long term.
How Waywest can Help
As we approach the colder months, there’s no better time to schedule your annual maintenance to ensure your HVAC systems are ready for winter. If you’d like to book yours, Waywest Mechanical can help.
We’ve been serving Nanaimo & South and Central Island with residential and commercial services since 1933. When you schedule your annual check-up with us, our licensed technicians will:
- Assess the furnace air filter and replace it if required.
- Check and clean the air handler, burner, and igniter.
- Calibrate the unit with your thermostat to ensure efficiency.
- Inspect and clean the blower motor.
- Check for damage to the heat exchanger and assess for gas leakage.
- Inspect and clean the air ducts.
- Check for common signs of overheating.
- Ensure the gas valve and limit switch are working as intended.
- Provide care and maintenance tips to help you stay safe and warm when the cold snap hits.
Don’t rely on DIY maintenance when it comes to keeping your furnace as good as new. Trust the pros at Waywest Mechanical. Get in touch today to book an appointment, or give us a call at 250-616-1446 for our 24hr emergency services.