With the autumn in high gear and winter fast approaching, temperatures will soon be below zero degrees. That means it’s officially heating season. It won’t be long before we have our furnaces running around the clock to keep our homes warm.
If you haven’t had your furnace inspected in a while, it’s a good idea to do it before you will be relying on it heavily. The last thing you want is to have it fail on you in the middle of a cold snap. You never know when a furnace will fail because of an issue that could have been spotted and avoided with an inspection.
But how do you know when it’s time to get your furnace inspected?
For most furnaces, we advise an annual inspection. There are a few important reasons why that is widely recommended by technicians and manufacturers.
#1 Prevent Future Breakdowns
When you get your furnace inspected, you are getting a comprehensive check of your system, making sure that any small issues that have developed are fixed before they turn into problems and breakdowns in the future. One survey of HVAC experts estimated that around 75% of the calls they get for a non-functioning furnace is due to lack of maintenance.
If there are any worn parts, they can be spotted and replaced with fresh parts. If there are any small leaks, they will be discovered and patched before they become major leaks.
#2 Prolong the Lifespan of Your Furnace
When any technician comes to inspect your furnace, they will generally follow the same list of things to check. These tasks and checks are part of the recommended inspection list from the manufacturers themselves. There may be some variation between manufacturer lists, and between the technicians themselves, but overall they will be very similar.
What they check for includes the following examples:
- Checking the vent system and drainage system for blockage or leakage.
- Analyzing combustion gases according to unit specifications.
- Checking seals around various components to ensure they are airtight.
- Checking the fresh air intake for blockages.
- Checking parts and components for signs of rust and corrosion.
- Checking the filters and blowers for excessive debris buildup.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it gives you an indication of what pros will be looking for. When you have regular inspections every year, you help keep your furnace clean and operating smoothly. That helps it live longer, so you don’t need to buy a replacement nearly as often.
#3 Save Energy
When your furnace gets regular inspections to ensure everything is in good order, the heat is generated cleanly and easily, and the air flows smoothly throughout your home. This helps ensure your furnace operates at peak efficiency. When your furnace can work efficiently, that means you spend less on your energy bill.
On the other hand, when your furnace does not get regular inspections, it builds up small issues like blockages, leaks, rust, and so on. It costs you money. As it has to work harder to heat your home, it uses more energy and causes your monthly bill to rise along with the repair costs.
For more information on furnace systems, see: How Can I Tell if I Need My Furnace Fixed or Replaced?