With furnaces being one of the most popular heating systems used in Anaheim, CA homes, it’s highly likely that you have one in your residence. Because these units can have a high upfront cost, it makes sense to do everything possible to extend the longevity of your system. One of the essential ways to do so is by performing routine maintenance.
Below, we’ll discuss what maintenance is required for your furnace so that you can stay warm and cozy all winter without breaking the bank.
Why Does Your Furnace Need Maintenance?
Before we dive into details about the specific maintenance that your furnace needs, it’s important to first start by having a clear understanding of why your furnace needs maintenance. Over time, components inside your furnace can wear out, and dust and other debris can accumulate inside it.
This can decrease its operating efficiency and cause your furnace to use more energy than necessary to heat your home. Maintenance is a great way to prevent overworking of your system and to ensure that it’s always operating efficiently, so you’re not overpaying for energy bills.
One key benefit of maintenance is that it can catch problems with your system while they’re still small. For example, the blower fan belt may be fraying because it’s worn out. By replacing this belt during our maintenance service, we can prevent you from having to deal with a failing system when the belt finally breaks. Our routine maintenance is great for minimizing your risk of experiencing a breakdown so that you can have peace of mind going into the cold winter season.
Another big concern when it comes to furnace operation is overall safety, especially if you have a furnace that burns heating oil, propane, or even natural gas. All these fuels will create a toxic byproduct during the combustion process that needs to be properly vented to the outdoors. If your system is malfunctioning or has a crack in its heat exchanger, it can allow these toxic fumes to seep into your home and lead to health and other related issues. Routine maintenance is great for catching these safety problems before they turn into massive issues for you and your family.
Homeowner Maintenance
Furnace maintenance can be divided into two different categories, which are homeowner maintenance and professional maintenance. Professional maintenance is aimed at preparing your system for the upcoming season, while homeowner maintenance is best for maintaining the operating efficiency and safety of your system throughout the winter season.
One of the most important parts of homeowner maintenance is routine air filter changes. The air filter in your system is responsible for collecting airborne contaminants before they reach the internal components of your furnace to keep those components in great working condition. As the air filter naturally does its job, it will accumulate a lot of different debris inside its fibers.
Eventually, the filter will get so full of debris that it will restrict the airflow throughout your ducting. The key is to replace your filter before this happens to ensure optimal operating efficiency at all times throughout the cold winter months. It’s best to pull your filter out once a month and check it to see if it needs replacing.
You can do this by holding it up to a light and looking through it. If you can’t see through the filter, it’s time for a replacement. You should always have at least one spare air filter ready to go so that you can do a replacement whenever necessary. It’s also important that you ensure you have a steady supply of fuel coming to your home to power your furnace.
If you have propane or oil, make sure that you set up automatic delivery service so that you never run out of fuel during the winter. Additionally, before the start of the colder season, it can be helpful to check all the air vents throughout your home to ensure they’re free of any debris or obstructions that could restrict airflow coming in or out of them. Also consider programming your thermostat to optimize your energy savings.
Professional Maintenance
Professional maintenance is something that should be done by one of our certified technicians on an annual basis. We recommend scheduling a tune-up service in early fall to prepare your heating system for the upcoming winter season. This will give you time to respond to any repair issues or system upgrades that are necessary before the cold weather sets in and you need to rely on your heating system every day to stay safe and comfortable.
During professional maintenance, one of our technicians will thoroughly evaluate every component of your furnace to ensure that it is operating safely and efficiently. We’ll tighten any loose connections and replace any corroded wiring or metal components. Our technician will clean your system’s internal components. This is great for extending their lifespan and increasing the efficiency of your heating system.
One professional maintenance task that many homeowners are concerned with is testing for any toxic fume emissions. If you have a furnace that burns heating oil, natural gas, or propane, our technicians will inspect your heat exchanger and ensure there are no toxic exhaust fumes coming back into your home. This ensures that your heater is operating safely and can go a long way to give you peace of mind throughout the long winter season.
One other crucial step of our maintenance process is optimizing the efficiency of your system. When it comes to fuel-burning furnaces, we can actively adjust the amount of fuel and air input to ensure optimal burning temperature. When our technicians are done, you can rest assured that your heating system is operating as efficiently as possible. You won’t be paying extra for energy bills that you don’t need.
A Note on Warranty Coverage
One of the biggest benefits of purchasing a new furnace for your home is that it comes with warranty coverage. This helps pay for any defective components your system may have, so you’re not stuck paying out of pocket for a very large repair bill.
One key thing to keep in mind when it comes to maintaining the warranty coverage on your furnace is that the manufacturer will typically require a certified technician to perform an annual inspection. If you can’t show proof of annual inspections, they may deny any future repair warranty claims that you submit.
Additionally, it’s best to understand that maintenance can’t actively prevent every problem that your furnace may have. Over the lifespan of your heating system, you’ll likely experience a malfunction or two that will require professional assistance. It’s important that you call us promptly for repair service and discontinue the use of your system until we can repair it. This will help to minimize the damage and extend the longevity of your furnace.
Expert Furnace Maintenance Service
Associated Heating & Air offers expert furnace tune-up service for the Anaheim area. Our knowledgeable technicians can also help with all your furnace installation, tune-up, and replacement needs. Call our office today to book your next appointment or ask about our convenient, money-saving Maintenance plan.