Scheduling furnace maintenance may not be at the top of your to-do list. Yet, making sure your furnace works properly this winter is essential. Here is why an annual furnace inspection is crucial for home safety.
Furnace Inspections and Safety Tests
An annual furnace inspection allows a service professional to evaluate your unit and perform safety tests to protect your home. This is especially important for gas furnaces.
During a maintenance visit, a technician performs a carbon monoxide test and checks for gas leaks. Carbon monoxide gas is colorless, odorless, hard to detect, and poisonous. Carbon monoxide is naturally produced when your furnace burns gas. It is normally kept within the heat exchanger before being emitted outside. A carbon monoxide leak could occur if your furnace is not operating correctly.
By performing a combustion analysis test, a technician makes sure your household does not have a carbon monoxide leak or any gas fumes that could jeopardize the safety of your home. Damage or cracks to the heat exchanger or flue vent can cause this carbon monoxide gas to leak indoors. A technician inspects all parts of your furnace and vents and monitors gas-burning efficiency so your unit is running the way it should.
Safety checks also help prevent any potential furnace fires. During a maintenance visit, a professional will test the safety switches to ensure they work correctly. These switches keep your furnace from potentially overheating and causing a fire. A service professional also evaluates your furnace burners and flame capabilities, the flame sensor, and the ignition device. These areas are central to properly burning fuels and safely heating your home.
Checking the electrical connections is also a critical safety measure and part of furnace inspections. Monitoring the voltage level going to the motor also helps prevent any possible fire hazards. These furnace safety tests and checks make sure your household is not confronting any potentially dangerous situations.
Before winter fully sets in is the best time to arrange an inspection. This ensures your household safely transitions to using the heat.
Furnace Inspections, Mold, and Allergens
An annual furnace inspection also allows a technician to determine if your heating system is circulating mold throughout your house. Mold occurs from moisture buildup and colder, dark conditions, which is common in basements and other furnace environments. Visible condensation on your furnace or moisture on the floor is the perfect setup for mold to form inside your unit.
Furnace technicians determine whether you have a water leak that could cause mold to form. They also check the inside of your furnace and clean out any mold that has accumulated. They likewise check for any rust on the burners. Since mold can spread and circulate through vents and air ducts, eliminating mold in the furnace goes a long way toward maintaining your family’s health.
Mold exposure can lead to respiratory issues, especially for those with allergies. If someone in your household experiences cold-like symptoms but is not sick, this could be a reaction to mold in the air. Those with asthma or allergies are particularly vulnerable to reactions to mold. Young children and the elderly are also more susceptible to adverse reactions to mold.
Dirty air filters are also likely places where mold can form and circulate in the air. Dirty filters not only circulate mold and allergens but also reduce airflow and make your heating system work harder. During an annual maintenance visit, we change the filters and clean the area. In addition, it’s critical that you change your air filters every one to three months.
Poor indoor air quality can decrease your quality of life. If this is a concern, we offer indoor air quality testing. This checks the level of dust and allergens that are in your air. Depending on the results, you might benefit from our whole-home air purification system.
Furnace Inspections and Keeping Your Warranty Valid
Many manufacturers require that you provide regular maintenance to your furnace to keep your warranty valid. Furnace inspection services help keep your warranty secure while ensuring your furnace is safe.
Warranties are like insurance, so if something goes wrong with your furnace, they can pay to repair or replace it. Lack of maintenance can make your warranty invalid, which means you lose that protection. If an emergency arises, you want to be covered and not have to pay for unexpected repairs.
With furnace maintenance, a professional evaluates exhaust lines, intake valves, burners, fuel nozzles, and more to ensure the unit works correctly. These inspections also include checking the airflow for obstructions or energy loss. These extra measures come on top of the safety and mold protections to keep your warranty secure, which in turn protects your furnace and household.
HVAC units cost a substantial amount of money and are one of the larger household investments. By arranging a furnace inspection, you protect your investment and allow your unit to last as long as possible.
Keeping Your Furnace in Top Condition
Along with safety, inspections allow you to keep your furnace running at top efficiency. An efficient furnace saves you money and helps preserve its lifespan, allowing you to stay warm and comfortable during the winter. Potential problems can be caught during a tune-up, possibly preventing a breakdown.
In addition to the above services, a professional will check your thermostat’s calibration. This ensures the furnace can keep your home at precisely the desired temperature. This step helps ensure your home is safe and comfortable and provides cost savings since your heating system will not run more than necessary. A technician can also inspect the fan control to ensure efficiency. Sometimes, the fan must be adjusted to ensure it cycles on and off correctly. In addition, an annual visit allows a technician to inspect the belts for any cracks so your furnace does not break down on you unexpectedly.
Arranging for a maintenance visit provides a chance to clean out the overall buildup in your furnace, which allows it to operate at its best. An inspection visit allows you to improve your home’s air quality and reduce energy costs. The Department of Energy estimates you could save 15% to 30% off your energy bill with regular HVAC maintenance.
Combined with safety checks and tests, these services prolong the life of your furnace. Your furnace can last 15 to 20 years if it’s properly maintained. A maintenance professional can also determine if it’s time to replace your furnace. Keeping your furnace in top condition or arranging for an upgrade prepares your household for the future.
Trustworthy HVAC Services
Contact us at Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. for more information about a furnace inspection for your home. We provide heating repair, installation, and maintenance services to Nashua, NH, and surrounding areas. We also provide oil-to-gas conversions and install traditional and tankless water heaters. We are a trusted family-owned business that can take care of all your HVAC needs. Call us today!
