Why Should I Get a Furnace Inspection? 6 Reasons
“Why should I get a furnace inspection if my unit is working just fine?” This question is common among homeowners, and the curiosity about the need is understandable. But with cold snaps and blizzards on the horizon, it’s essential to ensure your furnace is in peak condition.
An annual inspection not only ensures your furnace will work when you need it, but can also prevent costly emergency repairs and health risks. The sooner you schedule service, the sooner you’ll be ready when the cold weather hits.
Getting an in-depth inspection or a quick tune-up gives technicians an opportunity to check for possible issues and correct them before they turn into problems (or emergencies). Here are seven reasons why you should schedule a furnace inspection.
6 Reasons Why You Should Get a Furnace Inspection
When you perform regular maintenance on your furnace, it can maintain a more comfortable indoor atmosphere. Benefits of regular maintenance include everything from lower energy bills to more peace of mind in daily life.
1. Prolong Your Furnace’s Lifespan
The longer you put off having an annual inspection done on your furnace, the more likely you’re going to have a breakdown (usually when you need your furnace the most). During an inspection, a technician may find small problems that, if left unchecked, could lead to a major repair. Preventive maintenance on your furnace ensures it works when you need it, whether you’re facing light rain or a bitter cold snap.
2. Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leaks
When the heat exchanger in your furnace becomes cracked, gases like carbon monoxide can escape into your home. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly.
For your family’s safety, it’s important to inspect your furnace regularly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s also wise to install a carbon monoxide detector outside of each bedroom to protect and alert family members. Make sure to test your carbon monoxide detector once per month using its built-in testing functionality to ensure it is working.
3. Clean Built-Up Rust and Dirt
A proper inspection includes checking for rust and dirt that can build up on the burners in your furnace. This type of buildup can create pockets that trap gas and cause hot spots on your furnace’s heat exchanger.
4. Improve Your Furnace’s Performance
Neglecting your furnace’s annual inspections means particles like dust and dirt can build up on any moving parts. This grime causes your furnace to work harder than necessary to maintain the heat in your home.
During an annual inspection, a technician will clean your furnace’s parts and make sure they work together properly. Your furnace is at its most efficient when its parts are clean and functional.
5. Keep Your Warranty Valid
Some manufacturers require a furnace owner to keep up with regular maintenance in order to keep their warranty valid. If you haven’t been having your furnace inspected every year and something goes wrong, the manufacturer may ask to see your maintenance records. Without records to show, your warranty could be invalid, meaning you have to pay for repairs yourself during the warranty period.
In an unexpected emergency, you want to make sure that the cost of furnace repair or replacement is covered by the warranty.
6. Clean Air Filters
During your annual furnace inspection, the technician should replace or clean your furnace’s air filters. A clean furnace filter captures dust and debris before they can circulate through your home, improving your indoor air quality.
However, this isn’t the only time your furnace’s air filter should be replaced or cleaned during the winter. We recommend checking your filter monthly for buildup and changing it every three months.
What Does a Professional Furnace Inspection Consist Of?
If you’re not sure exactly what a professional inspection entails, here’s a general overview. While every visit will have a few differences depending on the home's size or the model being inspected, most inspections include the following tasks:
-
We will check the heat exchangers to make sure the furnace is transferring heat consistently from the fuel to the air. A lackluster heat exchanger can make your furnace’s temperature weaker.
-
The technician will clean the burners to reduce soot buildup. The more sooty and clogged your furnace becomes, the harder it needs to work to heat your home.
-
We will test the safety controls, which do everything from turning on the pilot light to reducing the risk of the system overheating.
-
Your technician will calibrate the thermostat to ensure it’s accurate and stays on consistently. Without a good thermostat that records temperature, you risk wasting money on excess heating.
-
We will double-check electrical connections. These connections can sometimes weaken or sustain damage with age, increasing your risk of a sudden breakdown.
Should You Get a Professional or Try a DIY Approach?
While you should service your furnace by changing the filter every few months, there are deeper problems that only a technician can handle. A professional can look beyond the surface for hidden issues such as faulty wiring, dirty coils, or potential hazards, including faulty safety controls.
A DIY approach can’t fix wiring issues or worn-out parts. Eliminate all doubt by letting a professional from Hauser Air inspect your unit and get the job done right the first time.
Learn About Our Maintenance Services
Schedule Your Inspection Today With Hauser Air
Why should you get a furnace inspection? A quick check-up on your furnace could be the only thing standing between you and a breakdown in the middle of winter. Whether your furnace is old or new, there are several financial benefits to getting an annual inspection from a qualified technician.
How often should you get your furnace inspected? We recommend twice per year, especially before winter hits. An inspection will save you money by eliminating the need for constant repairs, freeing up your schedule to focus on your work, hobbies, and family.
We offer furnace repair, furnace installation, and general maintenance. When you’re ready to enjoy greater peace of mind in your home, reach out to us to get started.
