Don’t get caught with an unexpected expense – NOW is the time to have your heating system inspected and cleaned! If you need any repairs or replacement parts, you want to make sure you’re in good shape in time those cold fall mornings.
Just like our vehicles need regular service to keep running properly, so do heating systems. All heating systems should be serviced annually to inspect all the heating elements, the electrical units, and to replace the filters. Routine, annual inspection and cleaning of your system has a number of benefits. It will reduce your annual energy consumption, help avoid larger repairs, and extend the lifespan of the system.
Annual inspection and cleaning of your heating system will catch problems before they become bigger heating repairs. The larger the problem, the greater the expense. Regular cleaning and tune-up reduces the likelihood of a breakdown. Bear in mind that the cost of an annual maintenance visit is much, much cheaper than major heating system repairs or a replacement. The effort pays for itself almost immediately!
The National Fire Protection Association says more than one in six home fires start from heating equipment, which is the second most common cause of a fire behind cooking.
Along with the many benefits to regular maintenance, there are also safety concerns that need to be understood to reduce the chances of a furnace fire. Heating system equipment requires combustion to create heat. Each unit has internal components that have a strict tolerance to certain levels of heat. If these tolerances are exceeded, these components are at risk from setting on fire.
During the coldest weather, your heating system works the hardest. If there are issues, a breakdown is sure to happen – at the worst possible time. Your heating technician can come back for an emergency repair, but it’s certainly preferable (and much less expensive) to prevent the breakdown in the first place. When you have your annual, routine inspection and cleaning, problems can be discovered then and fixed.
Heating system parts are still hard to come by post-pandemic, and shipping times continue to be long. We are waiting weeks or more for parts to come in, and this delays repair times considerably. If your system needs any replacement parts and you wait until it’s already cold out to have it checked, you may not be able to use your heat when you need it!
Annual maintenance definitely goes a long way to keeping your heating system working more efficiency. Better efficiency means a reduction in energy bills. When a unit or filters are dirty, for example, it has to work harder and longer to reach the desired temperature. This uses more energy every time your heat cycles. If you make sure your unit is running in top condition, you can avoid paying more on expensive energy this winter.
When parts are kept clean and repairs are taken care of early, your unit won’t suffer unnecessary wear and tear. It will not have to strain and work harder than necessary to do its job. The average heating system should last between 15 and 20 years with regular inspections and cleanings from a certified technician. Since heating systems are one of the most expensive systems in a house, this will save you a significant amount of money on an early replacement.
Ignoring annual maintenance can void equipment warranties on many heating units and parts. Like a lot of equipment, the manufacturer’s warranty on your heating system may not be endorsed if you don’t hold up your end of the deal by keeping up with regular inspections and cleaning. Make sure you are protecting the coverage for repairs and financial responsibility!
Don’t wait for a cold day to schedule your annual furnace or boiler cleaning. At 207 Plumbing & Heating, we inspect the entire system, clean all areas necessary, replace filters, and give your system a good once-over.
