Did you know that your heating system is your home's largest energy consumer and a must-have simultaneously?
Did you know that a furnace makes up about 45% of the average US household bill?
There are good reasons to ensure your furnace is working correctly and running as efficiently as possible.
This is where informed choices about the equipment you select and how you maintain it each year come into play. Regular care and inspections are essential to maintain your heating system's efficiency.
Often we wait for problems to arise. However, most often, the problem occurs after the damage has started. Identifying problems early make sure that your equipment remains fully efficient and working, whether it's been idle for weeks or it's been in use 24 hours a day.
Regular maintenance of your heating system means less downtime. This modest checklist will help you maintain your furnace.
Why is Regular Heating System Maintenance important?
Neglecting to maintain your furnace or heating system can cause problems and cost you money. The first thing you see is the high bill. It will become less efficient if you don't maintain your heating system. It means that the rooms in your house won't get as hot, but your furnace will use the same amount of energy (if not more) to heat it. Since you're still using energy, you'll soon notice that your gas and electricity bills have gone up.
If you think you can meet the expense of a slightly higher electricity bill, that's even more concerning. Unmaintained heating systems are more prone to problems and need repair. These repairs can be expensive, especially for older heating systems. Neglecting your heating system can eventually damage it to the point that it needs to be replaced. HVAC system replacements aren't cheap, so maintain them properly.
Why do you need maintenance service for your furnace, heat pump
or boiler?
Experts recommend having your boiler, heat pump, or furnace professionally serviced by a certified HVAC technician once a year to ensure safety and maximum efficiency.
Whether your heating system is old or new, it can benefit from annual maintenance and the well-trained eye of an experienced technician.
It is imperative to regularly inspect the heat exchangers for signs of pitting or cracking for older boilers and furnaces.
Additionally, today's highly efficient appliances produce large amounts of water as part of the combustion process. This water comes out as steam through the vents but condenses and exits the unit. These condensate lines remain free and allow water to flow properly.
Ensure the blower motor is functioning optimally
The fan motor drives the fan that delivers airflow to your home. A heating element in the furnace heats the heat exchanger to the preferred temperature, and a fan motor forces air through the heat exchanger. This heats the air and distributes it throughout the house. Most furnace fans supply air to the furnace and the air conditioning system.
The furnace fan is also where the air filter is installed. Fan motors have many moving parts that can fail if not properly maintained. A noisy furnace fan can specify a problem with the electric fan motor or fan impeller. A sharp, squeaky sound may indicate that two metal surfaces are rubbing against each other. This may be caused by the fan impeller dislodging from the fan motor shaft and scraping the internal casing. A loud hum usually points out an electrical problem. A qualified technician can help recognize the cause and make changes before equipment is damaged.
Remove debris and snow from outdoor units.
All heat pumps have units stored outside. When the temperature drops and the leaves begin to drop, the outdoor unit fan can become clogged with leaves. Also, snow can accumulate on the heat pump's outdoor unit during severe winter storms. Especially during this transition period, be sure to take the time to remove any dust, debris, or snow that has started to accumulate on the heat pump outdoor unit.
Clean the filters
Poorly maintained systems have dirty filters that result in allergens and dust accumulation. These particles are much harmful to our and our family's health. To prevent such health problems, regular filter replacement should be considered. Contact a heating system expert for filter cleaning and replacement. Replacing your filters will improve your home's air quality and reduce your system's energy consumption. Dirty filters impede airflow to the system, increase energy consumption, and lead to various operational problems.
Professional regular maintenance is always recommended.
Contacting a professional heating maintenance service company and arranging an inspection of your heating system more often is the best way to ensure that your heating system is safe to use and functioning optimally. Although one visit per year may be sufficient, it is recommended that heating repair services be scheduled well in advance of peak usage periods. Ask a professional technician to inspect all aspects of your heating system, including coils, ducts, and filters.
Contact Family heating and cooling for tips on caring for your home heating and cooling system. One of our dedicated team members will be there to help.