Your home's furnace is an unsung hero during those cold Ontario winters, which is why having your heating system properly maintained is vital to ensuring you can keep your family warm and comfortable when temperatures fall below freezing. So, when exactly should you tune your furnace?
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At Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning, we understand how important it is to have a working furnace throughout the wintertime. We also recognize how easily and unexpectedly a problem can arise when your heating system is not taken care of correctly. Because of this, you can rely on our team of certified HVAC technicians to always be available for any and all repair and maintenance services needed. That's Right! Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning is available 24/7/365 days a year, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays, at no extra cost to homeowners!
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How Often Should a Furnace Be Tuned Up?
Professional furnace tuning should ideally be done at least once a year. Maintaining your furnace on an annual basis will help to keep it operating safely, effectively, and dependably. Fall is usually the best time to arrange a furnace tune-up before the bitter chill of winter starts. By being proactive, you can save yourself the headache of a potential breakdown in the middle of winter and save yourself from having to pay for expensive repairs that would have otherwise been prevented.
Do Furnaces Need to Be Tuned Up?
It is advised to have your furnace serviced annually. Annual furnace maintenance is recommended for several reasons, such as:
- Efficiency: A furnace's ability to operate at its highest level of efficiency is guaranteed by regular servicing. Additionally, it guarantees that the furnace will save you money on utility bills and deliver the most effective heating output for your house.
- Safety: Annual furnace inspections can identify and address potential safety issues, such as gas leaks, carbon monoxide leaks, or broken electrical components that could endanger your safety if left undetected.
- Extended life expectancy: Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your heating system by preventing major problems, managing deterioration, and improving system performance.
- Manufacturer's warranty: Many furnace manufacturers establish warranty conditions with regular professional maintenance that need to be met. Otherwise, you'll be responsible for repair costs associated with your furnace, which can become quite expensive over time.
- Improved indoor air quality: Maintenance contributes to better indoor air quality throughout your house by reducing the volume of allergens, contaminants, and pollutants that pass through the system.
- Savings: You can stop minor errors from becoming more severe and expensive problems later on by taking care of them during routine maintenance.
Keep in mind that every case is unique and that some factors, such as the furnace's age or the kind of fuel used, may affect how often maintenance is required. Asking for assistance from your HVAC company is never a bad idea if you want a more specialized maintenance schedule that takes into account your unique circumstances.
How Do I Know if My Furnace Needs Maintenance?
Knowing when your furnace needs to be serviced by a professional HVAC technician is key to ensuring your heating system is able to operate optimally for you throughout the winter. There are numerous red flags homeowners can look out for around their home that can warn them that an appointment is necessary. Here is a closer look:
- The inefficiency of your furnace's heating system may be the cause of chilly spots or uneven heating in your house.
- Strange sounds emanating from the furnace could be a sign of a loose item that has to be adjusted or a mechanical issue.
- If your energy bills suddenly increase without corresponding shifts in how much you use your heating system, it could mean that your furnace is operating poorly.
- Your home's furnace turning on and off more often than normal, also known as short cycling, could be caused by a malfunctioning thermostat, a filter that is clogged, or other issues.
- Visible signs of deterioration, corrosion, or oxidation.
- A greater amount of dust in your home, despite cleaning often.
If you see any of these signs, you should contact a certified HVAC technician for a thorough evaluation and any required maintenance tasks to ensure no further damage occurs to your heating system.
How Often Should a Furnace Be Cleaned?
Generally speaking, homeowners will want to have the internal components of their furnace professionally cleaned once a year. However, homeowners should also aim to have their furnace air filters cleaned or replaced every one to three months to ensure optimal air quality in their homes.
Furthermore, if you notice dust, hair, dirt, and other debris in and around your furnace equipment, there is nothing wrong with cleaning up the area as needed. This can help ensure that the ventilation to and from your furnace remains unblocked. In addition, make sure to check the vents within each room of your home. If you notice signs of blockages there, vacuum the debris for optimal air circulation.
Beyond this, if homeowners notice any odd signs that could indicate their furnace isn't operating correctly and needs to be inspected by a professional HVAC technician, we suggest reaching out to a local HVAC company like Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning for assistance. Remember, prompt repairs and maintenance are key to ensuring a long and optimal lifespan for your furnace system. It can also help you save money on your utility costs and expensive repairs that you could have avoided.
So, when was the last time you booked a maintenance appointment for your home's heating system?
Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning is available 24/7/365 days a year, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays at no extra cost! Book with us over the phone or use our online booking form.
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