The furnace works harder than almost anything else in your home. The furnace works without rest around the clock during the time when the outside climate necessitates the need for warmth inside.

There is nothing wrong in the idea that the furnace needs to be maintained just as any other machine. The million-dollar question on everyone’s mind is how often to service furnace .

This is an easy one. However, the logic behind this answer must not be ignored.

The Simple Answer Every Homeowner Needs

Annual servicing of the furnace is recommended. This is an unwritten rule among the HVAC professionals, the manufacturers of the furnace system, and the domestic safety experts.

The annual servicing of the furnace ensures that the furnace performs efficiently throughout the heating season, and any problems will be identified early enough before expensive repairs are required. Once per year is considered the best interval for servicing; it should ideally be done in late summer or early autumn before the onset of frost.

Timing the servicing of furnace equipment is easy. But actually doing it to save costs in winter is a completely different ball game.

Why Annual Servicing Is Non-Negotiable

Some people forego yearly servicing in those years where they believe their furnaces are performing adequately. This mistake always comes back to bite owners at the most inopportune times.

Furnaces collect dust and other particles inside each year. Even parts that worked fine the year before might become worn out and require maintenance during the following heating period. Regular servicing will catch these problems early when they can still be fixed easily and inexpensively, rather than breaking down completely at the height of winter in January.

Servicing also ensures that the furnace runs efficiently. Dirty and unmaintained furnaces use much more power to generate the same amount of heat produced by a well-maintained furnace. This waste of resources results in higher energy bills for an entire heating season without offering any additional warmth.

What Happens During a Professional Furnace Service Visit

People usually avoid servicing because they know little about what a service involves. Below is a list of things that a skilled technician is expected to do while conducting a service.

• Heat exchange test – One of the main tests conducted by the skilled technician is that of the heat exchange system. In case your heat exchange system is faulty, carbon monoxide will seep into your house, endangering the lives of your loved ones.

• Clean and adjust burners – The more dirt there is on the burners, the higher the energy cost becomes since the efficiency of the furnace goes down. The technician will clean and adjust the burners.

• Filter test – With a dirty filter, it will be impossible to ensure efficient airflow. Additionally, air quality within the house goes down greatly.

• Blower Motor Inspection – The blower motor, along with all its peripherals, is tested for wear and tear, lubricated if necessary, and tested for functionality at all speed levels.

• Inspection of flue and ventilation – It ensures that the exhaust gases are exiting the house correctly, and if they are not, there is a chance that they accumulate in the house.

• Calibration of Thermostat – An improperly calibrated thermostat leads to excess running of the heating system, resulting in energy wastage.

Warning Signs That Need Attention Between Annual Services

It is important to have your furnace checked on a scheduled basis. Equally critical is recognizing the tell-tale signs that prompt you to act even when you’re not in the scheduled period.

A banging, rattling, or squealing sound coming from the furnace is an indication of mechanical issues that need to be sorted out at once. If you notice higher utility bills despite no rise in consumption, then it is possible your system is working harder than required. Unusual temperature differences in different rooms point to problems with air circulation. The presence of an orange or inconsistent flame in place of a blue one is an indication of a problem.

Do not overlook these signs.

The Long-Term Value of Consistent Maintenance

The furnace, if properly maintained, will always perform for a very long time compared to a neglected one. Generally, a furnace that is well-maintained will run for at least fifteen to twenty years. If not properly serviced, then the furnace will not operate for as long as fifteen to twenty years.

Additionally, the likelihood of having any emergency situation as the age of the furnace progresses becomes very high. While the servicing of a furnace might not be cheap, it is considerably less expensive than the replacement cost of the furnace.

For quality services regarding the maintenance of your furnace and getting answers on the question, “how often to service the furnace,” you should consider Frozen Flame.