“Do I really need heating maintenance?”
This is a question we get a lot around this time of year. We understand your hesitation! Why pay for a service that doesn’t seem immediately necessary, right? Well, because even though it’s not a service call for an immediate repair, maintenance helps prevent heating repairs—up to 85% of them throughout the lifespan of your heater.
Between preventing repair needs and keeping your heater running efficiently, maintenance will help you save hundreds of dollars over the lifespan of your heater. Read on to learn more about the benefits of heating maintenance!
With how much we use our heating systems during the winter, it’s no secret that homeowners would like to do everything they can to avoid costly utility bills. Sure, your energy bills are going to raise in the wintertime (as well as the summer time) as your HVAC systems take up about half of all your energy use. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to increase their efficiency and thereby lower the costs a bit.
Wintertime is the time of year when our heating systems are truly put to the test. Because of the strain they go through this time of year versus in milder weather, it tends to be when problems arise. Since you need your system to function at its best this time of year, this is obviously not ideal. It pays to ensure you schedule routine maintenance each year, and to keep a watch for signs of trouble with your heater.
If you’ve followed our blog from the beginning, you’ve likely seen it in writing many times that we recommend you change your HVAC air filter every 1-3 months. We aren’t just throwing this out as a suggestion—we are offering this advice as a way for you to get the most effective and efficient use from your heater (and air conditioner) as possible.
Fall is trekking right along and the official start of winter is less than a month away. Chances are, you’ve begun running your heater on a daily basis already… and more cold weather is on its way. This means if you haven’t done so already, now is the time to check your heating system for any signs of trouble. Problems from last year won’t have gone away this year without professional care—and this can be compounded by lack of use over the months. Running your system on a regular basis when it’s not performing at its best will only end in frustration—and probably a broken down heater.
When it comes to your comfort, it’s hard to ignore some signs that your HVAC system is struggling. For instance, if it’s in the middle of winter and your vents are blowing out cool or lukewarm air, you’ll likely give our pros a call right away for repairs. For other problems though, such as funny noises, you may be tempted to wait on calling in a pro, or you may decide to ignore the sounds altogether, shrugging it off as a normal part of furnace operation.
With temps still in the 90’s, it may seem pretty odd to even be talking about our heating systems. But, there’s actually no better time to start thinking about scheduling heating maintenance! In fact, fall is the best time since weather is usually milder and you don’t have to worry about being without your HVAC system while your tune-up is performed.
Temperatures are growing warmer, and soon enough it will be the official start of spring. You may still be using your heating system on a regular basis right now, and if so we hope it’s performing as efficiently and effectively as it should. If you had maintenance done this past fall, and took care of any recommended repairs, then you likely have nothing to worry about.
With temperatures finally cooling down for the season, you’re probably just about ready to shut down your AC system in favor for your heater. Before you start that furnace up or switch your heat pump from cooling mode to heating mode, though, are you sure your system is ready for the work ahead? Properly functioning