Preventive furnace maintenance is a cost-cutting measure for every home and business owner. Furnace services in Toronto are designed to provide regular cleaning and maintenance to a unit throughout the year.
What Are the Benefits of Preventive Furnace Maintenance?
Below are some of the benefits of preventive furnace maintenance:
Enhances Energy Efficiency
Furnaces that aren’t in tip-top shape often need to work harder to heat the home/office, therefore increasing energy consumption. But by taking measures such as preventive maintenance, your furnace will operate more efficiently, which means you conserve more energy. In addition, by reducing energy consumption, your monthly heating bill will decrease.
Prolongs Lifespan of Furnaces
As with any appliance, scheduling regular cleaning and maintenance can not only extend the lifespan of the appliance but can also reduce wear and tear on the components over time. Preventive maintenance ensures the furnace is well-maintained and reduces the need for costly repairs down the road, or worse—a full-on replacement.
Provides Consistent Heating
A well-maintained unit with consistently heat a home or office space, so you won’t have to worry about “cold spots”. This is very important, especially during the coldest months. A well-maintained heating system can also help improve the indoor air quality of a home or business which can lower the risk of respiratory conditions during the winter.
Prevents Major Malfunctions
Scheduled furnace maintenance may uncover potential risks that are minor before they become a serious issues or cause hazardous conditions. A regular furnace repair may seem like a costly expense upfront, but it can be financially smart in the long run since it’s a way to avoid expensive emergency repairs.
What Does Preventive Furnace Maintenance Entail?
When you schedule preventive furnace maintenance, you can expect the following services:
- Regular Cleaning and Inspection: This can include, but is not limited to the cleaning of filters, burners, and air ducts to remove dirt, dust, and debris.
- Lubrication and Part Assessment: Preventive measures are required to ensure the components and moving parts of the furnace are cleaned and lubricated.
- Ventilation and Exhaust System Check: To prevent exposure to carbon monoxide and other gases, the ventilation and exhaust systems of a furnace require inspection and cleaning. Airborne particles and debris can easily form a blockage within the ventilation system, reducing airflow and increasing poor air quality.
- Safety Controls and Gas Line Examination: For proper operation of the furnace, there are stringent requirements for safety controls and gas. All safety mechanisms need to be tested to reduce risk of injury and exposure to hazardous gases and fumes during usage.
How Often Should You Schedule Preventive Furnace Maintenance?
A seasonal routine is the most commonly used preventive maintenance with furnaces used primarily for heating measures. Having a professional cleaning and checkup at least once a year before the heating unit is needed will ensure the furnace is working its best. Early fall is the best time to schedule furnace maintenance as technicians become increasingly busier as the cold weather begins.
Regular maintenance intervals can also be scheduled monthly, quarterly, or semiannually depending on the quality of the indoor air and whether specific occupants have a compromised immune system or respiratory medical conditions.
The longer a furnace is used to heat a home or office, the more likely the components and filters will experience wear and tear and need essential repairs. The regular maintenance interval may need to be shortened in these cases for optimal operation.
Professionals vs. DIY Furnace Maintenance: Which Should You Choose?
By investing in professional furnace maintenance services, you are ensuring the occupants and integrity of the structure are safe. A certified technician can handle the gas burners and valves, electrical components, fans, and the blower in a safe and effective manner. Furthermore, a professional will have access to specialized tools and equipment needed to perform the job safely.
Furthermore, cleaning and maintaining a furnace requires extensive knowledge, precise handling, and specialized tools. With the advanced technology of today’s furnaces, there is a risk of fatal electrocution, gas explosion, and exposure to hazardous carbon monoxide gas if the technician is not highly experienced.
Having an expert with the knowledge and skills to perform a comprehensive checkup and cleaning of the furnace is highly recommended.
That said, homeowners should remove and clean their furnace filters periodically to prevent dirt and debris from blocking the flow of air.
Practical Tips for Implementing Effective Preventive Furnace Maintenance
To prevent the need for serious repairs or breakdowns of your furnace, schedule a furnace maintenance and tune-up service at least once a year. It is important to understand a routine check of filters, gas lines, and the blower can uncover existing issues while a thorough check with preventive measures can diminish the need for an emergency repair.
Contact Econoair for Furnace Maintenance in Toronto
Econoair Heating & Cooling Inc. offers full furnace maintenance in Toronto and the surrounding areas. We offer free no-obligation estimates and provide detailed cost information in advance so that you aren’t met with unpleasant surprises.
Schedule your furnace maintenance with the leading HVAC experts in Toronto. Our full range of installation, repair, and maintenance services offer 100% customer satisfaction. We also have an emergency hotline at 905-763-2400 for your comfort and peace of mind.