When you think of the major appliances in your home, your furnace is often right near the top. Not only is it one of the most vital home components for your safety and your home’s habitability, but it also is crucial for maintaining a certain level of comfort. But, just like anything else in your home, it needs proper maintenance and timely repairs to be functioning at peak performance and reliability.
It is even more important to have these things accomplished before the start of your cold season when your furnace will be under its heaviest load and usage requirements. But while many people know how important this is, there still exists a shocking number of furnaces that haven’t been inspected for years, or in some cases, at all. We’re going to take a look at what the ideal intervals for furnace inspection and maintenance are, and why it’s important.
How Often Should You Get Your Heater Inspected?
Those in colder climates may see the need to have their heater inspected every 6 months, particularly when heavily used. These areas will usually see several feet of snow throughout the winter, so the heater will often be on nearly continuously for many months.
In warmer climates like Texas, however, there is very little in terms of harsh winter climate so most residents can get away with an inspection every 2-5 years depending on use. If these heaters are electric, they will see very little use during the year, but it is still very important that you get them inspected every few years, even if it remains largely unused. This inspection can help find and fix various issues that may not be visible until the unit is fired up and put under load, such as duct seal issues and fan problems, and can serve as an opportunity to clean out the unit in general.
Season Maintenace is Needed No Matter Where You Live
Even if you don’t use a professional service, you should still be prepared to perform your own seasonal maintenance on your heating equipment. You should make sure that any heating coils are clean and clear for electric units, and for gas furnaces, you’ll need to ensure that the fans and pilot light are operating optimally.
You’ll also need to make sure that you give your heating system a proper postseason maintenance routine as well. This will often include a robust cleaning, checkup, and sealing before fully shutting it down for the spring. This prevents any lingering issues from worsening due to being unused, since it’s an ideal time to check for wear-and-tear after a lot of use, and it eliminates potential habitat for pests.
Call the Local Experts in HVAC
If you can’t remember the last time, you had a technician out to your home to inspect your furnace, or it’s just been a year or two, it’s probably time to make that call. Call a local expert to come out and make your furnace, boiler, or heater the attention and care it deserves, so you can be sure it’s ready when you need it.
