Most Mississauga furnace owners know that an annual furnace maintenance checkup is recommended, but very few people actually take it seriously.
If you are one of those people who have been ignoring this suggestion, you need to find out why a furnace tune-up is necessary. Many homeowners just like you don’t think maintenance is necessary. They wait until it is too late, and in need of costly furnace heating repairs.
There are many reasons why you should make an annual furnace checkup a part of your fall routine.
1. Reduce Your Energy Bill by Up to 30%
A furnace can make up about 50% of your energy bill. That adds up, especially if we have a particularly long, chilly Canadian winter. There is a silver lining – regular furnace maintenance.
A well-tuned furnace will be more efficient and use less energy. In fact, some studies have shown that regular maintenance can save you as much as 30%. Add in your programmable thermostat, and you’re well on your way to making this winter a much more affordable one.
Annual tune-ups are just one part of maintaining your furnace. You might cringe at the thought of doing extra work, but trust us; it’s easier than you think.
Simple things like changing your filters will increase your savings. Clean furnace filters will keep your home at the desired temperature without the high bills. You also help to ensure proper airflow, which reduces the need for frequent repairs that occur when the furnace is strained.
Bonus: A well-maintained furnace will last you much longer, which means you’ll get the most out of your investment.
2. Prevent Furnace Repairs & Breakdowns
The best way to ruin the holiday winter season is the unexpected expense and frustration of a broken heating system. Routine maintenance would make sure that there are fewer repairs and that your HVAC system is in tip top shape. Schedule furnace maintenance when it gets cold enough to turn the furnace on to make sure everything is in peak working order for the upcoming season. Avoiding regular maintenance could result in needing furnace repairs for issues like:
- Furnace water leaks
- Furnace frequently shut-offs
- Carbon Monoxide leaks
- Furnace blowing cold air
- Unusually high energy bills
All with various reasons why your heating system is broken, some easier fixes than others.
3. Extend The Life Of Your Furnace
It’s no secret that routine furnace maintenance helps keep your heating unit in peak working order. The cleaner, better maintained your furnace is, the longer your furnace will last. A professional service will not just clean, they will test and check all the elements of your furnace in order to catch an issue before it is too late, check safety controls, and make sure you know where your furnace stands. Expanding the lifespan of your furnace means extra money in your pocket and getting the most out of the cost of your furnace.
4. Maintain Healthy Air Quality
The benefits of furnace maintenance don’t stop with cutting fuel costs. It’s also an important part of maintaining your indoor air quality. Furnaces have air filters that need to be changed regularly (every 90 days at the most), but dirt & debris buildup will be evident in other places as well.
Air filters will work hard for you but if you have lots of allergy symptoms, or you are seeing dust and debris build-up, your furnace may be keeping your home warm but it is time to schedule service with us.
5. Detect Dangers Like Gas and Carbon Monoxide Leaks
Annual furnace maintenance will help to keep you and your family safe. Furnaces produce heat through burning fuel and it is important to ensure that the combustion process is efficient.
A problem in the furnace system can lead to a gas leak. We don’t have to remind you that a gas leak is very dangerous.
An unchecked furnace also runs the risk of carbon monoxide leaks. These are harder to detect because the gas is colourless and odourless. High carbon monoxide levels can cause nausea, headaches, and in some cases, death.
Having annual furnace maintenance will help catch any potential safety risks, and give you peace of mind that your furnace is working properly and up to code.
6 Maintain Your Manufacturer’s Warranty
It’s a good idea to get a regular furnace tune up so that you can maintain the manufacturer’s warranty.
On most good-quality furnaces, you can get a 10-year warranty option. Since a well-cared-for furnace can last as long as 20 years, you’ll want to regularly check in on your furnace to make sure that it still qualifies for the warranty.
If there comes a day when you do need to cash in on that warranty, they are going to ask for service records to prove that you’ve been taking care of it. If you haven’t, you’re most likely not going to get the outcome you were hoping for.
Investing in annual furnace maintenance is the best way for you to be better safe than sorry.
7. Stay Warm, Safe and Happy During the Winter
When you get an annual furnace tune up before winter begins, you can find out if the furnace will serve you efficiently throughout the entire season. The last thing you want is to be awoken by the freezing cold at 2 a.m. on a -20℃ morning because the furnace broke down.
Knowing the condition of your furnace before the cold weather kicks in will save you all that grief. For example, if all the maintenance in the world can’t save your furnace, you’ll have plenty of time to replace it before the first frost.
To make sure that you get the best results from your furnace, you should research the options and purchase the best brand available to you. A good-quality furnace is effective and will last you a long time.
Are Furnace Tune-Ups Necessary?
Your heating systems work extremely hard through these cold winter months. Yes! Regular maintenance means fewer repairs, but it also means improved safety, lower utility bills, less fuel used, and it ends up saving money.
Sure, regular maintenance can seem like a hassle but when you consider that you are prolonging your furnace’s life, cutting energy costs, and sleeping soundly because you know you will be warm all night, we think that’s pretty necessary.
How Do Furnace Tune-Ups Work?
When a technician comes to tune up your gas furnace, they are there to make sure it is operating in peak performance and recommend any fixes for improved safety and operation. The technician will do the following:
- Vacuum the burners and area around the furnace.
- Clean out flue pipes and check for rust or leakage.
- Clean the furnace blower.
- Examine the flame sensor, fuel line, pilot light, and thermocouple.
- Check the gas pressure.
- Inspect the condensate line and remove any clogs.
- Check the heat exchanger for cracks, corrosion, or blockage.
- Lubricate moving parts.
- Test thermostat and safety controls, calibrating as necessary.
- Test and adjust gas or electrical connections.
- Recommend any needed repairs.
We’ll Handle All of Your Furnace Needs
At Dr. HVAC, we can provide you with everything you’ll need this fall and winter, from furnace tune-ups to installations and quick furnace repairs. All you have to do is give us a call, and we’ll be there to make sure that this fall, you’re more than ready for winter.
You can also join our Dr HVAC service club which comes with exclusive benefits, one of many being annual furnace maintenance that we’ll call to book with you! All our services are covered under our comprehensive protection plans and we always promise the very best.