Potential Consequences of Neglecting Yearly Fall Furnace Maintenance
Proper maintenance of a furnace during the early fall of each year, or even in late summer, is important to extending its service life. It also enhances the energy efficiency of the furnace and reduces potential issues that may be caused by wear and tear. The benefits of regular maintenance are fewer repairs and replacements and less expensive heating costs, and don’t forget the ability to have consistent comfort levels in your home. In turn, you end up saving money when providing your system with annual maintenance because you aren’t waiting for the furnace to tell you something is wrong (which it won’t always do) and then you have to succumb to costly repairs. At Comfort By Design, our HVAC professionals can make sure your furnace is prepared to work at top efficiency during the cold fall and winter months.
With regular, timely furnace maintenance, you can prevent a host of serious issues, including:
Shortened Furnace Service Life
A quality furnace can last for as long as 15 to 20 years with proper care. Neglecting furnace maintenance risks an early breakdown of the unit. And this can occur at the very time you need your furnace working properly the most – during extreme winter weather and freezing temperatures.
Expensive Heating System Repairs
Homeowners often delay having furnace maintenance done in order to save money, thinking they can put off something which is not necessary at the moment. However, sticking to a yearly maintenance schedule prevents small issues from slipping under the radar which could become larger and more expensive repairs soon enough. It also keeps your system running at peak performance.
Higher Than Normal Energy Bills
Improperly maintained and neglected furnaces tend to operate less efficiently over time than regularly maintained furnaces. A neglected furnace and heating system must often work extra hard to supply the necessary heat to your home, and this requires more energy. The lack of energy efficiency will then result in higher energy bills.
Frozen and Burst Pipes
A heating system that shuts down in the middle of very cold weather in the winter can lead to other serious problems, such as frozen pipes that may burst. This can happen quickly.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
The air quality inside a home can degrade as the result of a poorly maintained furnace. This may include the distribution of dust, other pollutants, and allergens throughout your home – something which is detrimental to the health of your home’s occupants. Licensed service technicians can check if your air filter is clogged, and provide a clean filter if necessary.
Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Furnace heat exchangers are susceptible to cracking as they contract and expand with the change in temperature. If this situation is overlooked, they can emit an odorless, colorless carbon monoxide gas without detection into your home, posing a highly dangerous risk for you and your family. Routine furnace inspection and preventative maintenance can detect any cracks and solve the problem.
To learn about our furnace inspection and maintenance services at Comfort By Design, or to set up an appointment for HVAC service, call us today at 719.374.1776 or send us a message through our contact form.
