Furnace Maintenance Explained

Regular furnace maintenance is what is referred to as preventive maintenance by service professionals, but what exactly is preventive maintenance? Preventive maintenance is any kind of scheduled maintenance that can help you prevent damage to your system. Preventive maintenance might be checking for early signs of damage or malfunction to treat a problem before it shuts down your system, or it may simply be an in-depth cleaning and tune-up that your system needs to operate at its peak performance.

Too many times homeowners question the importance of annual equipment checks, without realizing that this could save the life of their heating system-and save them a ton of money in emergency repairs.

Oftentimes, even seemingly small issues can become huge problems if left unchecked. This is why preventive maintenance and inspections are crucial, especially in your home's HVAC systems. Certain problems are often not noticeable by an untrained eye, but might be caught early if checked by a professional.

Preventive maintenance may wear many hats and play many different roles. Regardless of what part this maintenance is playing for each individual system, experts agree that preventive maintenance is the key to keeping your equipment in tip-top condition.

We all know how important it is to get annual checkups with our physicians and have the oil changed and tires rotated on our cars every few months - Your HVAC systems are no different. In many ways, furnace maintenance is the most effective way to keep your furnace running properly and your family warm during these cold New Jersey winters. From changing air filters to cleaning burners, your system cannot run efficiently without annual tune-ups and maintenance. Here are just a few ways that proper furnace maintenance can help you and your household this winter.

Furnace maintenance makes sure your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible. There are many small issues that your furnace may be experiencing like a loose element, a clogged drain line, or even something as simple as a dirty filter, that can seriously hinder your unit's performance and efficiency. While your furnace may still function in some capacity with these problems, it will take much longer to heat your home. Not only is this inconvenient and uncomfortable for you and your family, but it can also drive up your utility bills. Keeping on top of your furnace maintenance can save you a ton of money in energy bills alone.

Whether your furnace seems to be experiencing any issues or not, having it checked every year can extend the service life of your furnace by many years. Regular cleaning and tune-ups can help keep your furnace from experiencing any issues related to debris build-up, rust, or clogs. When your furnace does not have to run harder to make up for these kinds of problems, there is less strain on the mechanical elements of the system and they may last longer.

Maintenance is also important to the lifespan of your unit because your technician may find any number of problems early on before they can cause any major damage to the system as a whole. Addressing these issues before they turn into expensive repairs or replacements is not only going to save you money, but it is also going to keep further strain off of your system. Like you and your car, the better shape your furnace is in, the longer it will last. A properly-maintained furnace can last up to 15-20 years.

One of the primary jobs of your HVAC system is to circulate air throughout your entire home. This air reaches every room-common spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, even your kitchen. When all this air is doing is keeping you warm, this whole-house coverage is a benefit. Unfortunately, your furnace system might not be sending out pure, warm air. The last thing you want your furnace to be pushing through your home is dust and other airborne pollutants that have taken up residence in your furnace and air ducts.

Having your entire system cleaned every 6-12 months is essential in maintaining that great, healthy air quality that your family needs. A dirty furnace could be as simple as a filter that needs to be replaced, or there might even be built-up debris inside the unit itself. Regardless of where the air quality issue came from, it is important that it is remedied quickly to avoid prolonged exposure to pollutants. During your furnace maintenance appointment, your technician will be sure your unit is clean of mildew, mold, dust, and other contaminants that can negatively affect your air quality and otherwise jeopardize your family's health.

When it comes to furnace maintenance, it is a bit more of an involved process than maintenance on some other systems. During your technician's visit, they are inspecting and clean the internal and external components of your HVAC system. When the parts of the furnace are properly inspected and cleaned, they help your furnace run more efficiently and safely.

Furnace tune-ups involve checking all of the system's essential components and adjusting, cleaning, testing, and/or lubricating them, as needed. While every system and HVAC company may do things a little bit differently, some of the specific tasks involved in your furnace maintenance checklist may include:

• Adjust burners
• Adjust pilot
• Check amperage draw
• Check and secure all panels
• Check blower motor and lubricate it
• Check blower wheel
• Check electrical connections
• Check fan belts
• Check for combustion air
• Check furnace filters
• Check furnace wiring
• Check gas valve operation
• Check heat anticipators
• Check hot water tank
• Check humidifier
• Check limit control
• Check motors and oil if necessary
• Check thermocouple
• Check the thermostat and calibrate if necessary
• Check thermostat contacts
• Clean and check pilot
• Clean burners
• Clean furnace or boiler
• Inspect combustion chamber
• And more!

Most experts agree that your furnace should undergo routine cleaning and tune-up at least once every year for its entire service life. This is a base-level maintenance recommendation and If you're serious about keeping a high-level indoor air quality, you may consider getting furnace tune-ups more frequently. If you or anyone in your home has respiratory issues or a compromised immune system, for example, your physician may recommend that you have your system professionally cleaned 2-4 times per year.

The ideal time for furnace maintenance service is before you'll be running your system on a daily basis when the temperatures drop. It is safe to say that the best time for a furnace tune-up is usually during the end of summer and the beginning of fall. By getting a furnace tune-up before winter sets in, you can ensure your system is ready to support your comfort needs during the cold season!

One of the biggest questions customers have about scheduling regular maintenance is, how much is this going to cost me? While every company is different and maintenance costs can differ greatly from one place to another, the most cost-effective way to keep up with ongoing preventive maintenance costs is to look into maintenance plans with your preferred service company. While not all HVAC companies offer maintenance plans, looking into these kinds of plans with your preferred provider is a great way to save you valuable time and money. Comparing different maintenance plans offered by businesses in your area is the best way to ensure that you are getting the best bang for your buck.

But what is a maintenance plan, exactly? To put it simply, an HVAC maintenance plan is an agreement you enter into with your service provider to receive annual services for your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, such as tune-ups, cleaning, and evaluations. You may agree to pay either a monthly or annual fee, depending on the company. Typically the company will also send you reminders of when it is time to schedule your annual maintenance for the different systems that need to be serviced around your home.

Wondering who you can trust with your furnace maintenance? Look no further than Midstate HVAC! We are New Jersey's most reliable and friendly HVAC service providers and we are committed to helping you keep up with your furnace maintenance needs.

To speak to one of our in-house experts, or to make your maintenance appointment, give us a call at (609) 431-5890 or visit our website!