If it hasn’t happened to you, you’ve heard about it happening to a friend. Your furnace, in the middle of winter—right when you need it most—cuts out and you’re left with a costly emergency repair. This unpleasant situation is much more likely to happen if you don’t regularly maintain your furnace.
It’s not always a full breakdown you’ll be met with if you’ve missed a few maintenance services, though. Here are 4 things that happen often to homeowners who do not take care of their HVAC systems.
1. Reduced Air Quality
Your HVAC system doesn’t only heat and cool—it also runs your air through filters that help remove pollutants and dust from your indoor air. If you are not keeping up with changing your filter, you’re going to notice more dust, dirt or dander in your home. This can lead to significant discomfort and even breathing difficulty, particularly for those with allergies.
2. Carbon Monoxide
A properly functioning furnace gives off a very small amount of carbon monoxide. A system that is not functioning smoothly can give off significantly more, especially older HVAC units. Avoiding your regular furnace checkup can leave you with a very dangerous situation on your hands. Get your furnace maintained annually by an accredited professional, and ensure you have working CO2 detectors on all floors of your home.
3. Your Heating Can Cost More
If you think you’re saving money by avoiding your annual maintenance, think again. A neglected furnace will start to function less & less efficiently, and this loss of efficiency will add up on your energy bill.
A clogged air filter, for example, requires more energy to move air through. This can cause a minor increase in your monthly bill. But over the long term, it can be costly. When you weigh this against the convenience of a quick service visit, we think the service visit is an easy choice.
4. The Complete Breakdown
Usually at the worst time possible—the coldest night of the year, or right before you’re hosting the family for Christmas. Regular maintenance helps prevent major issues like a complete breakdown, and can prolong the life of HVAC appliances significantly.
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Has it been a while since your furnace was serviced?
A neglected furnace will start to function less & less efficiently, and this loss of efficiency will add up on your energy bill. A clogged air filter, for example, requires more energy to move air through. This can cause a minor increase in your monthly bill. But over the long term, it can be costly.
If the furnace is not cleaned for an extended period, it becomes a magnet for dust, dirt, and other particulate debris. Warm air circulation distributes this particulate matter throughout the house. It may affect people who have breathing problems such as asthma or bronchitis.
Ignoring regular maintenance could lead to several problems such as reduced energy efficiency, higher utility bills, poor indoor air quality, equipment breakdowns and more – disturbing the comfort of your home.
Furnace maintenance is important for your family's health.
During your furnace maintenance appointment, your technician will be sure your unit is clean of mildew, mold, dust and other contaminants that can affect your indoor air quality and your family's health.
They will also inspect your furnace while cleaning it, and alert you to any problems that they find. Even if your furnace is relatively new, it still needs proper maintenance, with annual cleanings and regular filter checks. This is true whether you get your heat from oil, gas, propane or even solar power.
A neglected furnace will start to function less & less efficiently, and this loss of efficiency will add up on your energy bill. A clogged air filter, for example, requires more energy to move air through. This can cause a minor increase in your monthly bill. But over the long term, it can be costly.
If your house seems dustier than usual, or you see visible dust particles falling from your vents, your system likely needs to be cleaned. You may also notice that those with allergies in your home are having more flare-ups than usual. HVAC systems need to be cleaned every so often.
Health and Safety Risks: Neglected maintenance can pose health and safety risks to you and your family. Mould growth, pest infestations, and electrical problems are just a few examples of hazards that can arise from neglected maintenance.
We usually advise that you schedule furnace maintenance every 1-2 years (ideally once a year) and duct cleaning at intervals of 3 to 5 years for a smooth-running system and excellent indoor air quality.
The average lifespan of an HVAC unit ranges between 10 and 20 years, depending on several factors. If your system is older than ten years, it may seem like it's working. In reality, it has probably become much less efficient and may be costing you a lot of extra money.
What is Furnace Cleaning? Furnace cleaning involves only the individual components of the furnace itself—like the heat exchanger, the blower motor, the combustion chamber, burners, fan, etc. These are typically cleaned with the combination of high-pressured air and an industrial vacuum.
1. Clean or replace your filter. One of the first steps to superior furnace maintenance is keeping your filter clean or replacing it periodically. The filter works tirelessly to remove dust, pollen, pet dander and other particulates from the air before the furnace is heated.
Inspecting the thermostat and calibrating it as needed. Lubricating all moving parts in the heating system. Checking the air filter, cleaning it, and replacing it as needed. Checking and testing the system's safety controls and startup cycle.
Dust and Debris Build-up – A poorly maintained HVAC system can cause an accumulation of dust and debris over time, preventing your system from properly circulating air, and reducing the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit. This build-up of dirt can also trigger allergies and other respiratory problems.
Vacuum the burners and furnace base using a shop vac or household vacuum with a wand/upholstery attachment. Use extensions if necessary, doing your best to reach the back. Lift the blower door to vacuum the compartment. Keep an eye out for soot, which indicates poor combustion and requires further attention.
A dirty filter in your furnace will generally lead to the following consequences: The furnace can overheat and turn off as a failsafe. Your home won't achieve the warmth or comfort you want. You can severely damage your furnace's internal components.
Q: How often should I have my furnace cleaned? A: Our Breathe Clean Alberta experts recommend comprehensive cleaning at least once a year to ensure that your furnace is performing efficiently and that your air quality is maintained.
A dirty furnace burner can lead to clogs that may cause this gas to back up into your home. Fire Hazards - A dirty burner is one that is more at risk of catching fire. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help you prevent a fire that could have tragic consequences for you and your family.
Most blower wheels need to be pulled and cleaned every 3-5 years, depending on usage and the home. A dirty blower wheel can negatively affect the airflow in your HVAC unit, causing your heat exchanger to overheat and AC coils to freeze. It will also reduce the efficiency of your blower motor and your entire system.
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Your HVAC system doesn’t only heat and cool—it also runs your air through filters that help remove pollutants and dust from your indoor air. If you are not keeping up with changing your filter, you’re going to notice more dust, dirt or dander in your home. This can lead to significant discomfort and even breathing difficulty, particularly for those with allergies.
A clogged air filter, for example, requires more energy to move air through. This can cause a minor increase in your monthly bill. But over the long term, it can be costly. When you weigh this against the convenience of a quick service visit, we think the service visit is an easy choice.