Why Do An Annual Furnace Service?

An annual furnace tune up is something that you should do, but there are many homeowners who don’t take this as seriously as they should.  If you are one of the people who put this off for as long as possible, you need to know why this is never a good idea.  A lot of people assume that annual service is not actually necessary and will wait until it is too late and they face costly repairs.   So here are the reasons you should have your furnace maintained annually…

Reducing Your Energy Bill

Approximately 50% of your energy bill is generated by your furnace.  Over time, this will add up, particularly in the winter months.  Fortunately, there is something you can do to reduce this and that is furnace maintenance.

A furnace that is properly maintained will be more efficient and use less energy.  There are some studies that have found regular maintenance will save you up to 30% on your bills.  When you have a programmable thermostat, you will be one step closer to lowering your energy bills even further.

The maintenance of your furnace does not start and end with the annual tune up.  There are some other tasks you need to complete.  While this can seem like a chore, it is much easier than you imagine.

You can increase your energy bill savings by changing your filters.  Having clean furnace filters will help your home reach the temperature you want without the high energy bills.  You will also ensure your home has the right airflow which reduces the chances of costly repairs.  A well-maintained furnace will also last longer which means you are getting more from your investment.

Detecting Dangerous Gas and Carbon Monoxide Leaks

Having an annual tune up can help keep you and your family safe.  To produce heat, your furnace will burn fuel.  The combustion process must be efficient and done correctly. 

When there is a problem in your furnace system, it can lead to a gas leak.  These leaks can be very dangerous for everyone in your home.  Furnaces that are not properly checked can also have carbon monoxide leaks. 

This leak is harder to detect than a normal gas leak.  Carbon monoxide is odourless and colourless.  When there are high levels of this gas present in your home, it can lead to headaches, nausea, and in extreme cases, death.  Having your furnace checked each year will help you catch any potential safety problems and ensure that your system is working correctly.

Maintaining Your Warranty

The warranty from your manufacturer will need to be maintained and regular tune ups will help with this.  Good quality furnaces generally come with a 10-year warranty.  However, a furnace that is well cared for can last up to 20 years.  This is why you need to ensure that your furnace qualifies for the warranty for as long as possible.

You also never know when you might need to call on the warranty.  When you do this, you will generally be asked for the service records to prove that you have taken care of the furnace.  If you have no records, you will probably not get the warranty outcome that you want.  Annual maintenance is the best way to maintain your warranty.

Staying Safe, Warm, And Happy During the Winter Months

If you have your furnace tune up in the fall or at the beginning of winter, you will ensure that your system runs smoothly throughout the entire heating season.  This is important because you do not want to wake up at 2 in the morning when it is -20°C outside to find your furnace has broken down. 

When you know the condition of your furnace before the cold hits, you will save yourself a lot of problems.  There are times when all the maintenance in the world cannot save your furnace.  In these situations, you want enough time to replace your furnace before you start to feel the cold of winter. 

To ensure that you get the best output from your furnace, you need to do your homework on your replacement options.  You should then buy the best brand for your needs.  A good and efficient furnace will last for a long time and keep your home warm and cozy.

If you do find yourself in need of furnace maintenance or replacement and you reside in Ottawa and surrounding areas, hire the best at JD Swallow Heating & Cooling.  We offer tune ups, installations and quality repairs.  We have you covered regardless of the problem you might have.