Why is it smart to get a regular heater tune up? Here are fifeteen reasons, and some details on why they matter
How do you know when it’s time to replace your furnace? If you’re not taking good care of it on a regular basis, you might have to replace it sooner than you think.
We’re here with some good news. You could extend the lifespan of your home’s heating system with regular heater tune-ups.
Depending on where you live, you might use your heater a lot or a little throughout the year. Even if you only use the heater sparingly, it still deserves a good tune-up each year to keep you warm–and safe.
Between 2012 and 2016, central heating equipment was the cause of twelve percent of reported home fires in the U.S.
Safety is one of the most important reasons to have your furnace serviced each year. Check out fifteen more reasons for a heater tune-up–in case you need more convincing.
1.Your Noisy Furnace
Have you noticed your furnace making more noise than usual? Loud bangs, ticking, and clanking could be a sign that your furnace needs some attention.
Your furnace probably has a low-level of acceptable noise. Anytime metal equipment heats up, there can be noises from expanding parts.
You’ll also hear it kick on when it’s time to run. You’ll also hear the air blow through your vents.
If you hear anything more than “routine” noises from your furnace, it’s time to call a repair service for a tune-up.
2.Your Energy Bill
Are your energy bills slowing creeping higher each month? When your furnace isn’t running well, it works overtime–increasing your energy costs to heat your home.
A furnace tune-up keeps your heating system running smoothly. A technician cleans the system and recommends repairs to keep your furnace working efficiently.
Along with your heater tune-up, be sure you also check your home for drafts or leaks around windows. When your home is properly sealed, your heater won’t need to work as hard to keep your home warm.
It’s worth the small expense of regular tune-ups and home checks to save money on your energy bills.
3.Your Colder Rooms
One of the most common heating problems is inconsistent heating throughout your house.
Do you find yourself huddling in the warmest room in the house? You could have a problem with your furnace if you notice some rooms are colder than others throughout your home.
Your furnace pushes heated air throughout your home. If it’s unable to push air evenly throughout the home, you could have a problem with your system’s fan motor, belts, or bearings.
A routine tune-up keeps these furnace parts working correctly.
4.Your Lack of Heat
What’s worse than having some colder rooms versus warmer rooms? A heater that doesn’t blow heat at all.
If you notice cold air coming through your vents when the heater runs, your system needs a tune-up.
5.Your Manufacturer’s Warranty
Have you checked your furnace warranty? When it comes to keeping the warranty valid for your heating system, some warranties require regular maintenance for your system.
Without regular upkeep, parts can become worn or broken before the warranty expires. Your heating system’s manufacturer doesn’t want the expense of replacing parts on a poorly maintained heating system.
Check your warranty and the manufacturer’s rules about system tune-ups to keep the warranty valid.
6.Your Repair Costs
If you no longer have a valid warranty on your heating system, you don’t want to get stuck with expensive repairs. Without the warranty, if something breaks you’ll have to cover the repair costs yourself.
Worse than that, you don’t want to replace a furnace that’s beyond repair.
You might think that doing without yearly furnace maintenance saves money–or that it’s a waste of money. If your system turns on and blows hot air, you might feel like you can do without a tune-up.
But, you risk a more expensive repair down the road. A technician tune-up can help prevent bigger, more expensive problems for your furnace.
Letting smaller issues go unresolved leads to bigger problems. Reduce potentially expensive repairs with an annual furnace check.
7.Your Light Goes Out
When your furnace’s pilot light doesn’t stay lit, call a professional. Have them run a full check on the system.
The pilot light could be warning you of a bigger issue. It’s best to play it safe and let an HVAC technician do a tune-up on your furnace.
8.Your Furnace Smells
You might notice a burning smell when you turn on your heating system for the first time each season.
This first-use smell is usually normal. Dust settles on the heating element of your furnace when it’s not in use. That slight burning smell is typically that layer of dust burning away.
However, if you continue noticing a burning smell each time your furnace runs, it’s a sign your furnace needs some attention.
If you can, make sure you schedule a tune-up before you need your heater for the cooler months. Let your technician run the heater for the first time. They’ll know if the burning smell indicates a larger problem.
9.Your Health Suffers
We typically think of mold forming in air ducts and moist cooling systems.
Unfortunately, mold can also form in the furnace part of your HVAC system. It’s usually found in the insulation.
However, you won’t know it’s there. Your heater’s insulation isn’t visible without opening the system and inspecting it.
If you notice changes in your health, it’s possible that you have a mold problem.
Watch for symptoms like sneezing, red eyes, a skin rash, or a runny nose. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, keep an eye on more serious symptoms–like persistent shortness of breath or wheezing.
With mold, you don’t want to take any chances. Call your best heating repair service to take care of this serious issue.
10.Your Control Fails
No matter how high your thermostat control reads, your house just isn’t getting any warmer.
A regular tune-up helps a technician find any problems with your thermostat. The furnace might operate without an issue, but it’s having trouble connecting with the thermostat.
Don’t continue raising the temperature if the heater doesn’t respond correctly to the temperature you set. You could burn out the motor on your furnace.
Schedule a tune-up instead.
Your heating professional will test the reading of the thermostat against the temperature of each room. If there’s a significant difference, they’ll make adjustments to get sync the two components together.
11.Your System Keeps Running
When your heater never seems to shut off, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
Rather than hope the system eventually shuts off on its own, consider scheduling a system check-up right away.
Your furnace isn’t intended to run continuously. The longer it runs, the more likely it is to stop working at all. Parts can break, or the system could overload your home’s electrical system.
12.Your Valuable Time
The best time to schedule your furnace tune-up is before the weather turns cold.
In preparation for using your heater, take advantage of better technician availability and schedule it early in the season.
When it gets cold, HVAC professionals get busy with heater repairs. You might have to delay use of your heater or start using a system that hasn’t had a tune-up if you wait until it gets cold.
You’ll save time and be ready for the cold if you plan ahead for your tune-up.
13.Your Vents Restrict Flow
If your furnace works well, but your home struggles to stay heated, you could have an issue with your vents or ducts.
Dirty or leaky vents and ducts restrict air flow through your home. Restricted air flow puts a burden on your furnace system.
You need a technician to safely check ductwork to make sure your home’s furnace system works effectively.
14.Your Wire Connections Fail
Your heating system is a complex electrical system. With prolonged use, the wiring can become corroded or damaged.
Never try to examine your system’s wiring on your own. HVAC technician’s know how to reach the electrical components of your furnace to make sure your wiring is safe and secure.
15.Your Detector Goes Off
Do you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home? You might think the biggest risk of carbon monoxide in your home comes from car exhaust in your garage.
However, your furnace is also a major producer of carbon monoxide. An annual furnace tune-up can prevent dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from building up in your home.
Don’t Skip Your Heater Tune-Up
From safety to saving money, remember to schedule a heater tune-up every year. While it might seem like a hassle or additional expense, you’ll find that regular maintenance prevents bigger issues when it comes to heating your home.
Don’t forget your filters! Change the air filters for your furnace several times throughout the year. Depending on your furnace and your filter, follow recommendations to change if every month to every quarter.
Good filter upkeep helps your furnace run smoothly. Read more in our article about understanding the facts about air filters.
