How Often Do You Tune Up The Furnace?
Professional furnace maintenance is an essential task that homeowners often overlook. But without it, you can experience a world of problems that are often costly and frustrating to deal with. So, how often are you supposed to tune your furnace equipment?
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Do furnaces need to be serviced every year?
It is advised to have your furnace serviced annually. Annual furnace maintenance is recommended for several reasons, such as:
- Performance: A furnace operating at maximum efficiency can be assured with proper maintenance. Additionally, it guarantees that your furnace will save you money on energy costs and deliver the optimal heating capacity for your house.
- Safety: If a gas leak, carbon monoxide leak, or malfunctioning electrical component is not discovered, it could endanger your safety. Annual furnace inspections can identify and address these potential safety issues.
- Extended service life: Regular maintenance can extend the life of your heating system by controlling deterioration, preventing significant malfunctions, and improving system performance.
- Manufacturer's warranty: Regular expert maintenance is a requirement for many furnace manufacturers. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the warranty can be void, and you'll have to pay for all repairs yourself.
- Improved air quality: Maintenance contributes to better indoor air quality throughout your house by reducing the amount of dust, allergens, and pollutants that pass through the system.
- Savings: By attending to minor faults during normal servicing, you can prevent them from later growing into more severe and expensive problems.
How do I know if my furnace needs maintenance?
There are a number of indicators that the furnace in your house needs to be professionally serviced by an HVAC technician. Let's take a closer look:
- There can be problems with the furnace's heating efficiency if your house doesn't feel as warm as it should or if there are cold spots throughout different parts of your interior.
- Atypical sounds emanating from the furnace could suggest a mechanical issue or misaligned parts that require adjustment.
- If your utility costs abruptly rise without usage habits increasing in tandem, your furnace might be operating ineffectively.
- Your furnace may be turning on and off more frequently than usual due to a malfunctioning thermostat, a clogged filter, or other issues. Short cycling can put more strain on your system and increase your utility costs despite being unable to heat your home.
- You notice visible signs of deterioration on your furnace, such as rust or corrosion.
- Your home is increasingly dusty despite you cleaning it a couple of times a week.
If you see any of these signs, you need to contact a certified HVAC technician to look over your heating system and conduct any necessary repairs and cleaning tasks needed to get your furnace back up and running optimally for your needs.
How long do furnaces last on average?
The average furnace lasts 15 to 25 years. Even so, a variety of factors can influence the actual service life of this type of heating system, including:
- Maintenance and repairs: Prompt repairs and regular maintenance can significantly extend the life of a furnace. An early failure can be caused by negligent maintenance, which will decrease your heating system's service life significantly.
- Usage habits: Using a furnace more frequently, especially in colder climates, can result in more deterioration, leading to a shorter lifespan.
- Environment-related variables: A furnace's operating environment, such as exposure to freezing temperatures, can affect its lifespan by putting a greater strain on the system.
Generally speaking, as a furnace approaches the 15 to 20-year mark, it is advised that you begin considering replacing it, even if it is still functional. When upgraded, a more energy-efficient model can lead to decreased energy bills as well as greater indoor comfort for you and your family.
How often do you need to clean the filters?
It is typically recommended to change your filter every one to three months. That being said, there are a few factors that homeowners need to be mindful of that may have an impact on how often they replace their furnace air filters. Let’s take a closer look at this below:
- Usage habits: Homes that have greater heating demands may require more regular filter replacements. In contrast, if you don't use your furnace as often during the colder months, the filter might last longer and not require you to change it as frequently.
- Sensitivities and general air quality: If you or any family members have respiratory illnesses or allergies, it is recommended that you change the filter more often to preserve the highest level of air quality in your house, as dust and other irritants can make these medical problems worse.
- Pets: Hair and dander from pets frequently get into the furnace system, which may accelerate the clogging of filters. Consider checking and replacing the filter more often if you have pets.
- Regional environment: The lifespan of your furnace filter is influenced by the state of the air surrounding your home. It is expected that homes in dusty or polluted regions may require replacement more regularly.
- Quality of the filter: Regularly inspect the filter. No matter how long has elapsed since the last cleaning, if it appears dirty or discoloured, a replacement is necessary.
In the end, keeping an eye on your furnace filter and changing it when necessary not only guarantees improved indoor air quality but also extends the system's lifespan and overall effectiveness. Therefore, for maximum comfort, keep your eyes peeled for signs in your house and adjust your replacement plan accordingly.
Shines Energy proudly serves Halifax, Dartmouth, Truro, Kentville, and the surrounding neighbourhoods. If you’re overdue for your furnace tune-up, book your appointment with us over the phone or by using our online booking form today.