When the leaves begin to change colors, the air turns crisp, and the stores are stocked full of pumpkin everything, you know that fall has arrived. Fall is a fun time of year filled with things like harvest festivals, hayrides, good food, and warm sweaters. Autumn also means that many homeowners need to start thinking about prepping for winter. From tuning up the snowblower to stocking up on sidewalk salt, depending on where you live, there may be several things you need to do to plan for the cold and snowy months of winter. You should also schedule your annual fall maintenance as part of your prep.
Many homeowners fail to recognize the importance of regular furnace maintenance. For some, the idea is that if something isn’t broken, you shouldn’t fix it. But while your furnace may be operating right now, without maintenance, it isn’t a question of “if” it breaks down but rather a matter of “when.” If your furnace decides to stop working this winter, you could be left out in the cold, literally. Scheduling regular furnace maintenance can help you avoid the hassle of costly repairs and uncomfortable indoor temperatures.
Fall is the best time to schedule furnace maintenance to tune up your equipment and fix any minor issues before you need to rely on your heating system. Similar to stretching before you work out, you want to test and troubleshoot your furnace before you need it to heat your home. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of fall furnace maintenance.
Extended Furnace Life
HVAC experts and manufacturers agree that your furnace should last about 20 years. With proper care, however, you could extend the life of your system and keep it in working order well beyond the expected life span. During the winter months, your furnace works hard to combat the cold weather outside and maintain comfortable temperatures inside your home. Depending on your location, your heating system could face heavy demands during the winter months. Without proper maintenance, the taxing heating season could wear your equipment out faster. Over time, your furnace will wear out and could fail in the middle of a cold winter night. Regular service will allow a technician to inspect your equipment, clean and lubricate the internal parts, and repair any minor issues to get your equipment ready to run. Routine maintenance in the fall will ensure that your furnace is ready for the winter and running at peak performance for many seasons.
Safety
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Over the course of normal operation, regular wear and tear can lead to small problems like cracks, leaks, loose belts, and other issues. In general, these problems won’t cause your system to stop working. However, they could lead to some serious safety hazards. Your furnace is a piece of complex machinery that relies on flammable materials and high temperatures to operate. Certain problems can cause your furnace to malfunction and threaten your home or family. Blocked vents, dirty burners, loose connections, and other things can create a fire risk. Additionally, a cracked heat exchanger could cause carbon monoxide leaks that could mean serious health consequences for your family. Annual furnace maintenance in the fall will identify and correct any potential safety issues and give you peace of mind.
Aside from preventing costly repairs, extending the life of your equipment, and ensuring safe operation, preventative maintenance has many other benefits. From reducing your energy bills and usage to improving indoor air quality, regular maintenance is key to keeping your furnace running in top shape. Fall is the ideal time to schedule maintenance so that you can be sure your heating system is ready for the demands of the winter season.