For most homeowners, your furnace is one of those appliances that you forget exists until something goes wrong. However, you do not want to be without a heating system during the winter, especially in Montana. Instead, furnace maintenance is an annual or bi-annual service that helps prevent issues and rectify potential hazards before they grow. Furnace maintenance should be part of your fall maintenance schedule because it will save you time, money and a cold night (or several!) if something goes wrong.
Why You Need Annual Furnace Maintenance
Your furnace may seem like one of those appliances that runs fine on its own – after all, it’s in the basement or behind a closet door, and you almost never see it! Why bother? There are several advantages to having your furnace maintained by a professional each year, including:
- Save money – Regular maintenance keeps the system running efficiently, which saves you money on heating and electrical bills.
- Catch problems – Maintenance can also help nip problems in the bud, saving you money on big repairs down the road.
- Maintain warranty – Furnace warranties often require regular maintenance. If you don’t keep up with the maintenance, the warranty may not be valid, meaning you may not have coverage if something goes wrong during the warranty period.
- Extend the life of the furnace – Like any appliance, if your furnace is well-maintained, it will last longer. Well-maintained furnaces can last for more than a decade, helping you get the most out of your appliance.
What does furnace maintenance entail?
Much like maintenance for other appliances in your home, regular furnace maintenance includes checking all the machinery, component and systems to ensure everything is operating at maximum capacity, while also adjusting, cleaning and testing parts as needed. Specific tasks include:
- Vent and air intake inspection
- Removing any blockages in vents or grilles
- Looking for damage or corrosion, lubricating all moving parts, testing all systems
- Checking for leaks and gas pressure (if applicable)
- Cleaning debris from the blower
- Inspecting and testing the blower motor
- Checking electrical connections, replacing wiring, tightening bolts or other fasteners
- Examining the burner and flame sensor
- Inspecting belts and changing any that are damaged or cracked
- Calibrating the thermostat
- Replacing or cleaning filters
When should I have my furnace maintenance done?
The best time to get furnace maintenance done is before you need it! You should schedule maintenance on your furnace annually to keep your system operating at optimal efficiency. If anyone in your home has allergies, respiratory issues or a compromised immune system, you will want to stay on top of furnace maintenance and get the furnace tuned-up more often to maintain good air quality in your home. We recommend scheduling your furnace maintenance during the late summer or fall, because you are running the system daily.
Scheduling furnace maintenance in Kalispell, Montana
Late summer and early fall are the best times to schedule annual maintenance for your furnace. Contact the team at Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical to schedule your regular furnace maintenance today.
