Furnaces work hard to keep homes warm during the cold winter months. Like any machine or device, furnaces need professional service to operate safely and effectively. Seeking regular service will help keep your furnace operating efficiently and can help prevent costly breakdowns.

Essential Annual Maintenance Service

We recommend scheduling furnace maintenance once a year, in late summer or early fall. Inspecting the furnace before the cold temperatures strike will help ensure your system is ready. An annual inspection can help find minor furnace performance issues before they grow more serious. Many furnace manufacturers require annual professional maintenance to maintain your warranty. Yearly furnace maintenance involves a multi-step approach, including inspection, tightening, lubricating, and cleaning.

Steps Involved in Annual Furnace Maintenance

Understanding the steps involved in furnace maintenance can help you see the value of these services. Furnace maintenance is an essential part of your home's upkeep schedule.

Inspection

We start your maintenance appointment with a complete furnace inspection, checking all the major components for signs of wear and tear. Parts like the heat exchanger can develop cracks that release carbon monoxide into your home. Inspecting all the furnace components will give you peace of mind and ensure the system's normal function.

Thermostat Calibration

The thermostat is critical because it communicates with the furnace, telling it when to come on and shut off and how much heat to deliver. The first step is to inspect the thermostat and change the batteries. To ensure normal operation, you should change your batteries once a year. Calibration involves using a special thermometer and adjusting until the thermostat reads correctly. The best time to calibrate your thermostat is during the spring or fall.

Blower Cleaning

Blower cleaning helps eliminate dust buildup that can affect airflow. The process involves using a vacuum to remove dust and carefully cleaning the blower wheel, motor, and fan blades. A clean blower will keep your furnace working more efficiently.

Electrical Connections

Electrical connections are essential for your furnace's operation. Over time, the connections can loosen and suffer damage. After inspecting the connections, we tighten them to ensure they connect well. It's also important to check for any signs of electrical wiring damage that could make your furnace unsafe.

Lubrication of Moving Parts

Friction in the motor and other moving parts can damage them over time. Lubrication helps the components glide against one another, reducing wear and tear that can lead to malfunctions.

Furnace Testing

Using multimeters helps check that the furnace is receiving the proper voltage. Maintenance also involves testing the airflow and gas pressure. If you have a fuel-driven furnace, we will perform a combustion test. Testing ensures that your furnace operates safely and that there are no fuel problems that could put your family in danger.

Why Does Annual Furnace Service Matter?

A proper furnace service schedule helps keep your family safe and comfortable through winter. Although you can help maintain your furnace by regularly changing or cleaning the filters, professional technicians should handle most maintenance tasks.

Improved Efficiency

Neglected furnaces are more likely to cause electric bill increases. Without proper care, your furnace will experience wear and tear that causes it to work harder than necessary to heat. Taking care of your furnace will keep it running efficiently so that it doesn't waste so much energy during operation.

Increased Lifespan

A furnace can last up to 20 years with professional installation and regularly scheduled maintenance appointments. Maintenance helps prevent issues that can degrade the system's lifespan; in some cases, it can even help the furnace continue to operate longer than its typical lifespan.

Improved Air Quality

The EPA warns of poor indoor air quality due to many factors, including furnaces. Neglected furnaces circulate dust, allergens, and contaminants throughout your home. Your family may suffer from increased allergy and asthma symptoms as a result. Keeping your system clean and maintained can help to keep your air quality at a safe level.

Enhanced Safety

When poorly maintained, electric and fuel-driven furnaces can cause fires. Electrical fires can occur because of loose wiring, cross connections, and overheating. Fuel-driven furnaces can cause fires due to increased gas pressure and overheating. They can also release deadly carbon monoxide gases that can put your family and home in danger.

Signs Your Furnace Needs Servicing

Although scheduling annual maintenance is a good idea, you shouldn't hesitate to seek service more frequently if you notice your furnace struggling. Here are some signs to watch for:

Increasing Electric Bills

If your electric bills suddenly start rising, without colder temperatures or increased usage, your furnace could be the cause. Older furnaces need more care than newer models to help ensure efficiency.

Uneven Heating

If some rooms feel colder than others, your furnace may need to be adjusted. Many issues, including problems with the blower motor, can cause uneven heating.

Strange Noises

There could be problems with your furnace's function if it begins making strange noises during operation. Banging, rattling, and squealing are abnormal. Our technicians can find the causes of these unusual noises during a furnace maintenance appointment.

Unusual Smells

When you turn your furnace on for the first time in the winter, you should expect to smell burning, but the odor shouldn't continue. An initial burning smell indicates dust in the furnace. The dust will burn off, and the smell should go away. If the burning smell returns or remains constant, shut off the furnace immediately. A rotten egg smell likely means you have a gas leak. Gas leaks are hazardous; you should vacate your home immediately and call emergency services. Don't return to your home until professionals have handled the leak.

Frequent Cycling

A furnace that turns off and on too often works too hard to heat your home. You may notice this problem if you have not scheduled maintenance in a long time or your system is older and nearing the end of its lifespan.

What Can You Do Between Professional Visits?

You can do a few things to keep your furnace working effectively between annual maintenance appointments. Our expert HVAC technicians recommend the following steps.

  • Changing filters according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule
  • Keeping the vents and registers clear of obstructions
  • Monitoring for performance issues
  • Inspecting vents and ducts for dirt and debris

Professional Maintenance Protects Your Furnace

Furnaces need professional maintenance to avoid common wear and tear issues that lead to significant performance problems, such as overheating. Furnace maintenance helps ensure the safety of your furnace and prepares you for a long winter in Beachwood. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® is a heating and air conditioning company located in Beachwood. We install, maintain, and repair all HVAC units, including air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps! If you need furnace services, call our expert HVAC team at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning®.