It may not feel like fall yet, but winter truly is only a few months away. Your furnace is your family’s lifeline when it gets cold outside, providing warmth and comfort through the season. However, just like your car, your furnace is a machine that needs a yearly tune-up to ensure all is working well to prevent heating emergencies and high gas or electric bills.
It’s always best to get heating units inspected and a tune-up before the heating season so there is plenty of time for any necessary repairs or replacements. The good news is that, while it may seem like a hassle and money you don’t want to spend, it can actually save you thousands over the lifetime of your furnace by catching smaller repairs before they become larger and pricier issues as well as lengthening the time in between having to buy new furnaces.
HVAC specialists like those at Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators can help you maintain and repair your heating system to make sure you stay warm all winter.
What to Expect from a Furnace Expert
Heating maintenance and repair requires the knowledge and expertise of an HVAC professional. HVAC technicians are trained on exactly what steps to take to maintain your furnace and thus lengthen the life of the unit for years to come and prevent costly emergency repairs.
With HVAC techs like Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators, you can rely on us to perform the proper checks for your furnace this fall. When one of our friendly experts comes to your home, you can expect them to do the following.
Thermostat & Filter – The Basics
The last thing you want to experience this winter is a family illness and bad odors due to the lack of maintenance on your furnace. At the start of the maintenance process, there are always two things that are checked first; the filter and the thermostat.
Furnace filters should be replaced 2-3 times per year to maintain proper ventilation and the health of your family members. The build-up of dust will make the filter and the system inefficient as well as start circulating dust through the air since the filter will no longer be able to collect it. Those with asthma and allergies are most affected, but anyone can feel ill from a failing furnace filter.
A rule of thumb to go by is, the smaller the filter, the more often it needs to be changed. The HVAC technicians will also likely turn the thermostat from cool to heat to test that the heating elements work and don’t create an odor from collected dust. If the heating kicks on too slowly, more inspections and possible furnace repair or replacement may be necessary.
Ventilation
An HVAC maintenance professional will move on next to check that the ventilation is not obstructed. Overheating, carbon monoxide build-up, and poor heating are all issues that can result from the annual accumulation of materials blocking the external intake pipe. These are clear hazards to your loved ones that can easily go unnoticed if you don’t have an HVAC maintenance technician scheduled each year to make sure your ventilation is safe, clear, and functional.
Ductwork
Did you know small animals and plant growth can damage or prevent ductwork from getting cool and warm air throughout your home? Attics and crawl spaces are important places where ductwork is often contained, but critters also like to make homes here in warm months. An inspection of your ductwork can prevent any uneven heating and cold spots over winter.
Chimneys & Flue
Some furnaces have chimneys but will at least have a flue. An HVAC technician must inspect the area for debris and pests. This is not a DIY project as many flues are located in crawl spaces, roofs, or other inaccessible areas. The power will need to be turned off to the furnace as well while checking this for safety purposes.
If your flue is located in an accessible area, you can help things go more smoothly for maintenance and repair by keeping the area clean and clutter-free. 30 inches surrounding should be free of any clutter or debris.
Safety Checks
Since furnaces use electricity or gas to run, safety issues, especially in older systems, can crop up. Be sure to ask for a full health report on the safety of your heater, especially if it’s been a while since the system has had maintenance done or you have recently moved into the home. Also, be sure to ask about maintenance plans to ensure yearly visits to check your furnace for the heating season.
Signs of Furnace Repair Problems
Imagine, it’s just before winter, and you know it’s time to check your furnace. Only, something seems off with it. You can’t be sure, but you think it might be time to call an HVAC company for heating repair services. When in doubt, always call in the experts, but here are some sure signs something is wrong with your furnace:
- Musty, burning, or oily odors coming from the furnace area
- Rattling and flapping sounds from vents
- Rattling from the actual furnace
- High-pitched or squealing sounds from vents
- Furnace constantly running
- The temperature not reaching what it should
- Abnormal pilot light coloring
- High heating bills
- A suddenly very dusty or dry home
- Poor airflow in winter
Other Heating Services
Beyond furnace maintenance, your local Salt Lake City or Ogden heating and cooling specialists can help with various other services. Heaters of all types, both gas and electric, need regular maintenance to operate at optimum levels. However, there does come a time when even the best-cared-for systems need to be replaced or repaired.
Heating and furnace replacement and repair should always be done by a professional who is certified and experienced in HVAC systems. Many HVAC companies offer transparent estimates, low-cost problem consultations, and financing to fit your and your family’s needs.
Choose a Reputable Salt Lake City HVAC Company
Any heating or cooling repair or replacement is a large investment. You don’t want to hire someone to do a job who doesn’t have the right reputation or experience to provide quality work, especially when it comes to possible safety and comfort concerns in your home. Knowing how to choose the right HVAC company for your needs can seem like looking through muddy water. There are a few signs, though, of an excellent HVAC service.
- Kind and knowledgeable customer service staff
- Upfront and clear quotes
- Emergency services offered on short notice
- Financing for large purchases
- Licensed and trained technicians above the bare minimum standards
- Skilled and courteous technicians who keep your house clean and don’t upsell things you don’t need
- A track record of good reviews and happy, returning customers
Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators has years in the HVAC business offering services to multiple Utah communities such as AC repair and installation, heat pump maintenance and repair, ductless systems, and more.
Contact us today to learn more and schedule service for your gas furnace in your Salt Lake City home.
