No matter how often you may use your furnace, it requires a regular tune up to ensure it runs in the best condition. This prevents more expensive maintenance in the future, as well as the risk of fire or other potentially dangerous problems. The long, sometimes harsh winters in Canada can put a lot of pressure on your furnace; therefore, it is even more important that you take the time to get an annual tune up.
What is a Tune Up?
A tune up, also known as preventative maintenance, is service on your functioning furnace that checks for any potential problems. It should be done by an HVAC professional to ensure that everything is correctly monitored, and fixed if necessary. A typical tune up will check for the presence of excessive carbon monoxide and check the different parts for any problems and clean, tighten, or replace them as necessary. It will also remove any dust or scale that may be on the burner or other parts. During this check, the professional will also restart your furnace to ensure that everything is operational, as well as check all safety controls to ensure it remains complaint.
The Financial Benefits of a Tune Up
When you get regular preventative maintenance on your furnace, you will save money in the long run. It reduces the chance of your furnace breaking down, and it extends the life. This saves you money on major repairs or replacement that could end up costing you thousands of dollars. It also will keep the regular cost of running your system lower by reducing your energy consumption. Finally, preventative maintenance also validates the warranties on your system, including any extended warranties. This ensures you will have coverage if something breaks down while under warranty, saving you the cost of having to fix it. The cost of having a HVAC professional perform a tune up on your heater is significantly lower than the potential costs you could have if your system breaks down.
The Health and Safety Benefits
There is much more than just financial rewards to performing a tune up of your furnace or heating system; you will also have a healthier and safer home for yourself and your family. Most heaters burn some type of gas, propane, or oil, which omit gases that can be potentially harmful, such as carbon monoxide, methane, VOCs, and more. A properly functioning system sends the gases outside, rather than into your home.However, if there is a leak or other problems in your system, these gases can enter your home. This could cause health problems and diseases, and be a potential fire hazard for your home.
To keep your system running as soon as possible, you need to get an annual maintenance check up. The best time to get this done is between early spring and late fall before you start regularly using the furnace. However, it is never too late to call in your HVAC professionals to perform a routine preventative maintenance check to save you money and make your home safer.