Furnace Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home Warm All Winter
When the cold weather hits and the snowfall piles up, you need your furnace to work. Here at McCreaway, we provide top-notch furnace maintenance in Temple Hills, MD, as well as Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Keeping your furnace running at its peak is something we strive for. We want to see our customers stay warm and cozy in their homes all winter long.
Why Furnace Maintenance Matters
Furnace maintenance is essential for many reasons. Yearly maintenance can greatly extend the lifespan of your furnace. A furnace that has annual maintenance can last years longer than a furnace that hasn’t had any service. Furnace maintenance greatly decreases the chances of a breakdown during the winter months when you need it the most. A yearly tune-up can also save you money by increasing the energy efficiency of your unit. A more efficient furnace results in energy savings and better home heating.
Key Steps to Maintain Your Furnace
There are numerous steps that you can take in order to maintain your furnace. One of the easiest ways to do this is by scheduling furnace maintenance. You should schedule maintenance at least once a year. The best time to do this is usually in the fall. To maintain the health of your furnace, full professional inspections are necessary. To ensure your HVAC equipment withstands the test of time, it’s essential to watch for signs of a struggle. At the first sign something is off with your system, it’s important to contact a professional for help. Addressing issues quickly helps extend the life of your furnace.
Replace or Clean Air Filters
Replacing an air filter is an essential part of furnace maintenance. Improved airflow is one of the many benefits a clean air filter has. When the air can easily pass through the filter, energy efficiency will increase. With increased efficiency, you will likely save some money on your monthly electric bill. In addition, with regular filter care, you can enjoy the benefits of an improvement in your indoor air quality.
Inspect Thermostat Settings
The thermostat settings play a large part in how well your furnace operates. If your thermostat isn’t properly calibrated, your furnace may run too long or too little. Depending on the specific scenario, this could result in your home either being warmer than you would like or not warm enough. During a tune-up, we will check the thermostat calibration and settings. We do this in order to ensure the thermostat demonstrates accurate temperature control.
When your thermostat is properly calibrated, the furnace will only kick on as needed to reach the temperature you desire. This is a great way to reduce energy waste. Not only that, but it also reduces strain on your furnace that can result from frequent cycling. A strain reduction can greatly help to enhance the lifespan of your furnace.
Clean Furnace Components
Our technicians will clean your furnace system during a tune-up. We will remove dust and buildup from things like burners, blowers and internal components. This is necessary to keep your furnace running at its best. There are other benefits to removing dust and other debris apart from just furnace functionality. A thorough cleaning significantly improves your indoor air quality and in turn, your health. The removal of dust and allergens from your furnace can greatly reduce upper respiratory conditions.
Check Vents and Airflow
During a furnace tune-up, our technicians will check your vents and ducts. We will be checking to ensure they are not obstructed. Unobstructed ventilation leads to more consistent heating which is a great benefit in the winter months. When we inspect the vents and ducts, we will also be looking for any signs of leaks.
Blocked and leaky ducts can be quite costly. In fact, vent blockages and faulty ductwork can waste up to 30% of energy when the furnace has to overcompensate for the problem. Vent blocks and leaky ducts can also be harmful to your health in a few different ways. Duct issues can contribute to unsafe conditions if combustion gases are not properly vented, including the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. That is a serious health hazard that needs professional attention. Blocked vents can have a negative impact on air quality by circulating mold and allergens. Furnace maintenance is an excellent way to prevent things like respiratory illness and carbon monoxide exposure.
Schedule Professional Tune-Ups
With annual furnace maintenance, our team of knowledgeable technicians can catch small problems before they turn into something much larger. This will save you money over time by cutting down on costly emergency repair breakdowns. Apart from that, with a longer lasting furnace, you’ll delay the need for an expensive replacement. Yearly maintenance will also help to ensure that no matter what the weather brings, your furnace will stay running. Upon the completion of the tune-up, you will have peace of mind knowing your furnace is free of any dangerous gas leaks.
Annual maintenance is a great way to improve efficiency. Thorough cleanings and thermostat calibrations work to enhance efficiency. With greater efficiency comes money savings and overall better heating.
Keep Your Furnace Running Smoothly All Season
Since 1936, McCreaway has been delivering quality service. We provide our customers with honest, ethical pricing. In addition, you can expect us to complete each job we take on to the highest possible standards. Our NATE-certified technicians use the most current, up-to-date technology and tools. Our A+ rating on Angie’s List helps to enhance our credibility as a business you can trust. With over 80 years in the industry, we perform many heating services including maintenance, installation, and repair. McCreaway can help you with any of your heating needs.
For your furnace maintenance in Temple Hills, MD or any of our other service areas, contact the professionals at McCreaway. Give us a call today to schedule service.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s very common to have questions when it comes to your furnace. Here at McCreaway, we are happy to answer any you may have. We enjoy sharing our knowledge with you, so here are some answers to frequent questions we receive.
How Often Should a Furnace Receive Maintenance?
A furnace should receive maintenance at least once a year. The best time to schedule this service is generally in the fall. When you schedule service in the fall, your furnace will be clean and fully functioning for the upcoming heating season.
What Are Common Signs a Furnace Needs Service?
There are many signs that indicate that your furnace needs professional service. One of the key indicators is lack of warm air. Another common sign that signals the need for repair is short cycling.
Can Maintenance Help Prevent Winter Breakdowns?
Yes, maintenance can greatly work to help prevent winter breakdowns. Any broken components will undergo repair to ensure your furnace runs seamlessly in the winter. Many components will undergo cleaning which will only help how well your unit runs. It will therefore reduce the chance for breakdowns.
What Should I Expect During a Professional Furnace Tune-Up?
There are a lot of things that a professional furnace tune-up can include. You can expect our technicians to perform a thorough inspection of your furnace system. We will also perform safety checks to ensure your furnace is safe to operate.