If you want to get the most out of your furnace and ensure it heats effectively all winter long, it’s crucial that you have it professionally maintained before the cold temperatures set in. A lack of maintenance tends to result in more wear and tear, which is why furnaces that aren’t maintained every year usually don’t last as long. Annual maintenance is also important for all of these other reasons.
Lower Heating Costs
One thing you should be aware of is that there’s a fairly high chance your furnace will experience various issues that hinder its performance if it isn’t professionally maintained every year. If your furnace isn’t working effectively, it will heat your house more slowly and use more energy.
A common issue that can happen is that the blower gets so dirty that it can no longer circulate as much air as it should. The blower serves both your heating and air conditioning. If you don’t have it cleaned before winter, all of the dust and debris can prevent it from working as effectively as it should. That means it won’t draw enough air into the furnace and you’ll have much less hot air coming out of your vents.
Another common issue is that the burners can get so dirty that they give off much less heat. The reason is that dirty burners can lead to incomplete combustion, which results in weak yellow or orange flames that don’t burn nearly as hot. This is why another important task is cleaning the burners to ensure the gas fully combusts and the furnace burns cleanly.
Reduced Risk of Your Furnace Breaking Down
Certain components in a furnace like the flame sensor, pressure switch and electronic igniter are prone to wearing out eventually. This is especially true for the igniter and flame sensor since they are directly exposed to extreme heat when the furnace is running, resulting in them often only lasting for five years or so. If any of these components end up failing during the winter, it will prevent your furnace from working whatsoever.
That means you won’t have heat until the component is replaced. If your furnace does stop working, you’ll need to schedule an emergency repair since your house can quickly become far too cold. The biggest thing you need to worry about in this situation is that your plumbing can end up freezing if you’re without heat for an extended length of time.
Having a technician inspect and maintain your furnace lessens the risk of any issues arising that prevent it from running. That’s because the technician can test all of the components and often be able to determine if any of them are beginning to wear out and at risk of failing over the winter. If they find any issues, they can then replace the component or perform whatever other repairs are necessary at that time to ensure everything works properly.
Preventing Potential Safety Issues
While a modern gas furnace has a variety of sensors and switches designed to ensure it operates safely, safety issues can still arise. For instance, you can encounter an issue that leads to the furnace overheating or the flames escaping the combustion chamber, both of which can be a potential fire hazard.
There are also issues that could potentially lead to carbon monoxide leaking out and putting everyone in the house at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The two biggest concerns in this regard are if the heat exchanger is cracked or there’s an issue with the exhaust flue that prevents the combustion fumes from being directly vented outside. Annual furnace maintenance also lowers the risk of all of these issues and helps to ensure that your furnace operates safely.
For more than 90 years, DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been providing exceptional HVAC and plumbing services in the West Boylston and Falmouth areas. We’re a fourth-generation, family-owned company that’s dedicated to providing the best heating and air conditioning services available. Our certified technicians are experts in furnace maintenance and can work on whatever make and model you have.
They also have the knowledge to fix almost any issue your furnace may have and can advise you on whether repairing the issue or replacing your furnace is the better option. If you need a new furnace or any other HVAC unit, we offer a range of top-quality options from some of the best brands in the industry. If you’re looking to ensure your home stays comfortable this winter and your furnace works properly, contact DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling and let our experts handle all of your maintenance needs.
