If you take proper care of your forced-air furnace, it will provide you with an average of 15 years of workable life. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of even the most basic techniques that they can utilize to extend the life of their heating unit. Here are a few essential tips that can help you take care of your furnace and achieve the most out of your investment.
How to take care of your furnace: the importance of regular maintenance
Even if your furnace appears to be working perfectly, it is still a good idea to get it inspected on an annual basis as a precautionary measure. After all, a professional inspection can pinpoint many small issues before they add up to a major problem, and this will allow you to take the necessary steps to prevent a costly breakdown. Efficient Heating & Cooling offers a furnace service agreement to make it easier for you to receive an annual inspection and tune-up without spending an exorbitant amount of money.
What items can I do to take care of my furnace?
Annual preventative maintenance is only one aspect of the many minor things that can be done to greatly enhance the efficiency and lifespan of your forced-air furnace. We highly recommend changing the filter on a regular basis, keeping the unit free of dust and any debris. It’s also a good idea to invest in a programmable thermostat and embracing energy-efficient methods such as keeping your thermostat set to the lowest possible temperature without sacrificing your desire to have a comfortable climate throughout your home.
What will a contractor do to extend the life of my furnace?
When you sign up for a furnace service agreement, your contractor will schedule an annual appointment. During these appointments, a professional contractor will check your heat exchanger, inspect your pilot light and perform an overall inspection of all of the working components of your furnace. All of this is vital if you want to get the most out of your unit, but it is actually critical to have your heat exchanger inspected on a regular basis. In fact, even new heat exchangers can become dangerous and possibly life-threatening if a crack develops. Homeowners who choose to get their heater professionally inspected on an annual basis will be dramatically less likely to ever end up dealing with a serious problem due to a carbon monoxide leak.
Is a furnace service agreement the best way to take care of my furnace?
It is common for people to be barraged with requests to purchase a wide variety of extended warranties and service agreements, and this has created a natural inclination to simply say no in the interests of saving money. But the reality is that a furnace service agreement is typically far less of a money commitment than dealing with even just one unexpected emergency service call. Therefore, this is one program that you should definitely consider purchasing so that you can save money and have peace of mind.
To learn more about properly maintaining your heater, you can contact Efficient Heating & Cooling at (216) 663-6462.