As winter approaches, you will find yourself needing some warmth in your home. However, your HVAC can malfunction when you need it the most. To prevent this from happening, you must conduct regular inspections of your unit to make sure that everything is up and running. If you find any issues with the operation of your furnace, consider taking advantage of a Home Warranty plan to help cover the repair costs. Here are the top 6 reasons why it is important to regularly check if your furnace is working properly!
1. Identify Problems While they Are Still Small
Scheduling regular inspections of your furnace helps prolong the lifespan of the unit. With inspections, minor problems can be identified early before they get out of hand. If your system is well maintained, it can last up to 20 years or more. You will also be less likely to experience sudden malfunctions if your furnace is serviced regularly. Preventive maintenance helps to ensure that all issues are resolved before they require heavy and most probably costly maintenance. You can also identify all the parts that need replacement.
2. Proper Ventilation and Safety Concerns
Gas furnaces generate heat by burning fuel which means they have their own set of safety hazards. As a result, you will need to conduct regular inspections of your unit to be on the safe side. One of the most essential things checked by technicians in the heat exchanger plays a critical role in warming up your house. If your system has a cracked heat exchanger, it can release dangerous fumes like carbon monoxide and other byproducts of combustion, which can affect health. Carbon dioxide poisoning can be fatal. The main danger is that it is odorless, so you may not even know if your heat exchanger needs immediate attention.
If the heat exchanger stops functioning, your safety is compromised. There might be small cracks in the system, but these may not affect it immediately. To prevent potential hazards, you should have a functioning CO detector. You must replace the batteries of the CO detector unit every six months since you can’t smell carbon monoxide.
3. Reduce the Risk of Overheating
If your furnace is not operating properly as a result of issues like clogging, there is a risk that it can overheat which will affect its functionality. If the unit is working harder, it will run hotter than normal. If the problem is not quickly dealt with, it can cause the heating system to malfunction or cause a fire in extreme cases. All units have an upper limit safety that automatically shuts down when the heat gets too high. Some of these safety features are less efficient in old equipment, and this is the reason why you must undertake regular checks. You should ensure that the filters are changed regularly. If you are not exactly sure about what you’re doing, you should call a technician.
4. Increase Efficiency
Another reason why you should regularly check your furnace is to ensure proper efficiency. If you neglect your unit, unwanted particles like dust can accumulate inside moving parts which will affect its operations. This will make it work harder than necessary which will compromise its efficiency. A technician will clean the furnace’s parts during inspection to make sure that the furnace is at its most efficient. When nothing affects the system, you will enjoy better utility. If your HVAC is not working properly, it can produce a bad smell which can cause discomfort in your home.
5. Identify an Inefficient Furnace
Inspection of your furnace helps you identify if any defects may need attention. If your unit is older than 15 years, it might be different from the units that are common these days. This means that it may not operate efficiently if it is not serviced regularly. Some furnaces that were powered by gas were phased out because they were inefficient. If you still have an old unit, you may experience some challenges regarding functionality. The other issue with old units is that they tend to consume more power which can lead to increased expenses. If you have an old system and decide to replace it, you will realize that you can start saving money.
6. Keep Your Warranty Valid
Regular inspections can help you keep your warranty valid. Some manufacturers ask furnace owners to ensure the gadgets get an inspection so they can repair them when something goes wrong. If you do not have maintenance records, your warranty could become invalid meaning that you will need to pay for the repairs out of pocket. Without a warranty, it can be expensive to fix your furnace when it malfunctions.
A furnace plays a crucial role in our homes since it provides warmth when the weather gets too cold. However, like any appliance, your unit can malfunction as a result of several reasons. To prevent certain challenges, it is vital to perform regular inspections. You can also save a lot of money in the long run if your unit is running efficiently.
