Homeowners run their furnaces frequently during the winter in Bloomington, Indiana. The cold temperatures common in this area lead people to seek comfort in their own homes. The furnace keeps the home at a comfortable temperature while regulating airflow throughout the home. In addition, it captures airborne particles so they don’t make their way through the house. To ensure the furnace remains operational to carry out these tasks, you need to regularly maintain it. Mister Quik Home Services can be of help with this.
What is Furnace Maintenance?
Drivers take their cars in for regular maintenance. They have the vehicle inspected and tune-ups carried out to ensure the car keeps running. The furnace in the home needs similar attention. With routine maintenance, homeowners find they save money because fewer repairs are needed. The furnace remains operational when temperatures drop, and the homeowner has peace of mind knowing their family will remain warm even on those frigid winter nights.
How Often Does the Furnace Need to Be Maintained?
Most manufacturers’ warranties require annual maintenance for their furnaces. However, homeowners might find their system needs maintenance more often. This depends in part on the system’s age, the current operational status of the furnace, and any past repairs.
Mister Quik Home Services in Bloomington recommends having the furnace maintained in the late summer or early fall. The furnace works hard to keep the home warm every winter. It then sits for a few months when the thermostat climbs. By calling for a maintenance visit in the late summer or early fall, the homeowner can be confident the unit will remain operational before the temperatures start to drop.
When to Call for Service
Homeowners shouldn’t hesitate to call Mister Quik Home Services if they suspect their furnace has a problem between maintenance visits. However, many people don’t know what is normal and what is a sign their system is malfunctioning. They may notice something is different in the home without recognizing it is the furnace that is acting up. What are some signs the furnace needs repair?
Water should never pool around the furnace. If you see water in this area or notice condensation anywhere on the ductwork, call us. Strange smells and unusual noises call for a visit from one of our technicians, and the same holds when cold air is coming out of the vents. If your energy bill has been climbing without an accompanying decrease in outside temperatures, your furnace needs to be examined, and our technicians are ready to help.
Furnace Maintenance Tasks
During a maintenance visit, our Mister Quik technician inspects the entire HVAC system, completes a tune-up, and makes any necessary repairs. The inspection includes the heat exchanger and ventilation system. Our technician examines the electrical connections, blower and blower motor, safety controls, and belts. The burner and air filter are checked during the visit as well.
Once the examination of the system is complete, the technician lubricates all moving parts in the system. They make recommendations on repairs, if needed, and answer any questions the homeowner has. If a repair is needed, the technician often can complete this work during the maintenance visit.
Maintaining a Gas Furnace versus an Electric Maintenance
A homeowner may wonder how gas furnace maintenance differs from maintaining an electric furnace. The only difference is in the maintenance of the gas furnace fuel source. Our technician inspects the gas lines and analyzes the gas combustion levels. Manufacturers determine the maximum efficiency levels for their units, but most units come with a maximum efficiency level of 85 percent or higher. This refers to the amount of heat lost when the furnace is operating. An 85 percent efficiency level means 15 percent of the energy produced by the unit comes in the form of exhaust. Newer units may operate at 95 percent efficiency. Our technician ensures the unit operates at the anticipated level.
The Benefits of Furnace Maintenance
A comfortable home and ensuring the furnace warranty remains in effect serve as the two main reasons homeowners maintain their heating unit. Regular maintenance of the furnace helps to keep energy bills under control. Maintaining the furnace according to the manufacturer’s recommendations can save the homeowner up to 30 percent on their energy bills each month. However, the actual amount saved depends on several factors. For example, the insulation in the home and the square footage of the residence play a role in the energy savings.
Air quality improves when you maintain your furnace. The furnace pulls air from inside the home before recycling it through the heating and cooling system. This system contains a filter that traps dust, dander, pollen, and more before circulating the air throughout the home. Regularly changing the filter helps to remove the particles from the air while improving the airflow of the system.
During normal operation, the furnace produces carbon monoxide, which is then removed from the home with the help of an exhaust pipe. During maintenance visits, the technician looks for gas or carbon monoxide leaks, which can be deadly if not addressed immediately.
Regular maintenance helps to prevent system failures. The Mister Quik technician examines the system to find any parts at risk of failing. Not only does this help to prevent a system breakdown, but it also keeps repair costs under control because failing parts can do additional damage to the system if not addressed promptly.
Regular maintenance extends the lifespan of the unit. A well-maintained furnace lasts up to 20 years. Homeowners appreciate this, as this is often the most expensive appliance in the home.
Call Mister Quik today to set up your maintenance visit. Our technicians are EPA certified and trained to handle all of your furnace needs. We want you to be completely satisfied and offer a 100 percent guarantee of our work. We are ready to help in any way we can.