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9 Reasons Why Heating System Maintenance Is So Important

Regular service and maintenance of your heating system ensures your equipment is running safely and as efficiently as possible. When our technician comes to do your annual furnace or boiler cleaning, they are also inspecting all the components and parts of your unit. This practice is critical to make sure no deadly gasses are leaking into your home, and that your system is running properly and efficiently. Many times, problems are identified during this visit as well, which can head off more costly repairs down the road.

While you can complete some routine maintenance such as changing filters on your own, you should always have your system checked annually by an HVAC professional.

Why is annual furnace maintenance so important? Here are nine reasons:

Annual maintenance ensures your HVAC system is working properly.

Just as we have annual health checkups and change the oil in our vehicle regularly, annual heating system maintenance is a must. This yearly appointment includes a thorough inspection of your system, cleaning or replacing of filters, and cleaning of parts and components. This process allows the professional HVAC technician to check for dangerous leaks, verify that your temperature gauges and thermostats are accurate, and that your system is operating at its best.

Heating System Maintenance

During a Gelinas visit, the technician will:

  • Inspect the heating unit and its wiring
  • Clean and lubricate all necessary unit components
  • Check the fuel pump feed and calibrate the pressure in the fuel line
  • Test the pilot light and/or ignition switches
  • Clean all portions of the fuel line and ignition mechanisms
  • Calibrate the unit so that it works to its optimal efficiency
  • Check the filtration for air quality
  • Identify any potential mechanical issues or needed repairs

Your HVAC system will run as efficiently as possible.

Older heating equipment can lose its efficiency as parts wear down and elements wear out. Heating systems work by producing heat, and then pushing it through the house via air ducts or forced hot water pipes. Different areas can become clogged with buildup, and if they are not cleaned properly, the unit has to work harder to produce and deliver heat. This decreases the efficiency of the unit. Reduced efficiency means your unit has to work harder than necessary and use more fuel than necessary.

Heating system maintenance is important for your family’s health.

Annual furnace maintenance will help to keep you and your family safe. Boilers and furnaces produce heat through burning fuel. These combustible gasses, if leaked, allow deadly carbon monoxide into your home. Additionally, annual maintenance goes a long way to making sure your heating system isn’t contributing to poor indoor air quality which can be dangerous for everyone, particularly those with respiratory issues.

Your system will help with indoor air quality, instead of hurting it.

Part of regular maintenance is to replace all the air filters. Not only will a dirty filter kill efficiency, but it will contribute to poor indoor air quality. Air filters remove contaminants like dust mites, mold, pet dander, dead skin, allergens, and viruses (oh, YUCK!) from your home’s indoor air. When the air filter is dirty, it no longer filters these dangerous particles out of the air that you and your family are breathing.

DIY Tip:
While your technician will change your filters as part of their visit, it’s best to clean or replace your filters every 30-90 days (depending on use) to help your system run its cleanest, safest and most efficient.

Annual maintenance reduces the risk of a system failure.

Consider what would happen if your furnace went out on a freezing cold night. Furnace issues never happen at a convenient time! Have a professional check your unit once a year so problems are caught, and caught early. You will have peace of mind knowing that you and your family will stay warm throughout the cold weather season.

The Manufacturer’s Warranty will be preserved.

 If you do not have your heating system inspected and serviced on a regular basis, it may void your manufacturer’s warranty on the equipment. Be sure to check your paperwork to make sure what the requirements are for cleanings and inspections.

The system’s lifespan will be extended.

Replacing a heating system is a major investment, so you want your current one to last as long as possible! Annual maintenance by a professional HVAC technician extends the life of your unit because issues can be addressed quickly and early. The longer a problem is allowed to go on, the larger the repair cost. A well maintained heating system should last 15-20 years.

You will save a lot of money.

For an annual cost of less than $300, you can keep your heating system running at peak efficiency. When your system doesn’t have to work as hard to produce heat, it doesn’t use as much fuel. This increased efficiency will save you direct costs each year.

When a professional inspects your system regularly, repairs can be spotted early. When problems are ignored, repairs become larger and therefore more expensive.

A persistent problem can cause your system to quit. Having your heat not working on a cold night is not only a discomfort to your family, but a great risk to your home. Frozen pipes cause thousands of dollars of damage.

The longer you ignore regular maintenance, the more likely you will be replacing your unit before it’s natural lifespan which will be a significant cost, compared to paying for an annual cleaning or small repairs (identified during the annual cleaning inspection).

Gelinas offers experience, professional annual maintenance.

Make sure your heating system stays in top condition and ready to run well throughout the fall and winter (ok, and spring). To schedule a maintenance appointment, please contact Gelinas HVAC.

Our FREE Maintenance & Service Agreements make keeping up with this important annual task even easier! Learn just how they work in this article.