Furnace service
If this is your first time installing a furnace, your installation contractor must have told you to undertake furnace service. What does it mean to have your furnace serviced? You must be wondering.
Well, furnace service is the thorough inspection and tune-up of the heating unit, so it continues functioning efficiently and in tip-top shape throughout the heating season. If you want to save money, stay comfortable, and get the most from your heating appliance, you should have your unit regularly serviced.
What does furnace service involve?
The service involves inspecting all the heating system’s essential components and adjusting, testing, cleaning, and lubricating them as necessary. You can do the service by yourself if you have the necessary skills or hire a service technician (recommended) to handle the work for you.
Proper furnace service involves:
- Inspecting the heat exchanger for signs of damage and corrosion
- Inspecting the vent system and the air intake grilles and removing any blockages
- Inspecting and cleaning the blower and removing debris
- Inspecting the burner and flame sensor
- Inspecting the thermostat and calibrating as necessary
- Inspecting the electrical connections, tightening them, and/or replacing the damaged wiring
- Lubricating all the moving parts in the heating system
- Inspecting and testing the system’s safety controls and startup cycle
- Inspecting the air filter, cleaning it, and replacing it as necessary.
- Examining the belts for signs of damage and cracks
- Inspecting the blower motor and testing its amp draw
If you have an oil or gas furnace, you have to provide additional services that include:
- Inspecting the thermocouple
- Examining the fuel line for potential leaks
- Checking and testing the burner, gas pressure, and pilot
How often should you service your furnace?
At Sammechanical, we recommend you service your appliance during these times:
Before the cold season
When the cold season kicks in, you will be using the furnace almost all the time, so you want your furnace to be in tip-top shape before that time. Tune-up your appliance at the end of summer and the beginning of fall.
Once a year
For optimum indoor air quality, have your unit inspected at least once a year. If you have someone in your household suffering from respiratory disease or with a compromised immune system, you can have your unit serviced more often, such as twice to four times a year.
What do you get from regular furnace maintenance?
Other than having excellent air quality in the house, regular furnace maintenance comes with plenty of other benefits that include:
Saves you money
When you keep your furnace in top condition, you save money as the furnace runs highly efficiently. Like your properly maintained car that consumes little fuel, your properly maintained furnace also consumes little energy. Hence, you have lower energy bills at the end of the month.
You minimize the risk of a furnace breakdown.
During the cold winter months, the last thing you want is the furnace grinding to a halt. With regular service, the contractor can identify even the most minor issues and fix them before they worsen.
This translates to fewer system failures, reduced need for furnace repair, and minimal chances of the furnace grinding to a halt.
You maintain the warranty.
Most heating and cooling companies will require you to keep your furnace in top shape to maintain your furnace warranty. By regularly servicing your furnace, you keep your warranty valid, which ensures you are covered if something goes wrong during the warranty period.
You extend the life of the appliance.
Again using the car analogy, a properly maintained car tends to last for a long time. It’s the same thing with your furnace. When you take good care of your furnace, it tends to have a long life, often for more than a decade, letting you get the most from your investment.
What should you expect during furnace service?
The heating service repair Long Island provider will visit your home and ask to see the furnace and the adjoining ducts. The contractor will then proceed to inspect the unit and make any necessary repairs.
Once the service is over, you should expect increased furnace efficiency. You also will enjoy cleaner air as the appliance will be distributing clean air through a clean air filter.