Running a furnace in your home is both an inexpensive way to stay warm during the winter months and a potential source of danger. If you live in Broussard, LA, your furnace is essential to have serviced at least once per year.
The easiest way to do this is by scheduling yearly maintenance with the company that installed your system. Most companies will perform their annual service furnace maintenance Broussard, LA free of charge, especially if you are still under warranty.
Why You Need to Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
As you probably know, just like all the other appliances in your home, furnaces don’t last forever. Eventually, they need to be replaced. However, before spending money on a new furnace, it’s always wise to try and maintain the one you already have so that it can continue working for as long as possible.
One way to do this is by scheduling furnace maintenance Broussard, LA at least once a year. Scheduling maintenance now or any time of year is vital for various reasons:
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Save Money on Energy Bills
Considering furnace maintenance Broussard, LA can help you save money on energy bills in the long run. If your system is working at its optimal level, there’s less chance that it will break down, which means you won’t have to worry about spending money for repairs or replacements when needed.
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Prevent Emergencies
Just like all other appliances in your home, furnaces occasionally break down or stop working altogether. If you wait until there’s a problem with your furnace to call a technician out for a service appointment, you could face an emergency situation. For example, if your furnace breaks down in the middle of winter, you could find yourself without heat for days or weeks while waiting for a technician to fit you in. It is clearly not ideal. And something that probably goes without saying is that your home won’t be very comfortable during this time either.
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Resolve Common Problems
If your heating system is inspected by an HVAC technician when it is not broken down, you can rest assured knowing that he will be able to catch problems before they become serious. In case an issue arises during service appointments, technicians will be able to get your furnace back up and running immediately.
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Extend Furnace Life
Another critical reason to arrange annual furnace maintenance Broussard, LA is to extend the life of your system by up to 10 years. If you are currently facing sky-rocketing energy costs year after year, this means an extended life furnace could help you save money on energy bills over the long term. It would be easier for you to afford furnaces repairs in the long term as well as other necessary home improvements.
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Maintenance Can Help with Other Systems
Lastly, getting furnace maintenance Broussard, LA can help you monitor other home systems’ performance. For instance, when technicians inspect your heating system, they often check things like the air filter, blower fan, condensate drains, in addition to other essential components.
If any of these items are in poor condition, it could become necessary to replace them at once rather than individually. This can result in significant savings when buying each component one by one over time.
When Should You Schedule Furnace Maintenance?
Naturally, you should schedule furnace maintenance Broussard, LA every year. But it’s not as simple as scheduling an appointment at your dentist or hairdresser. Furnace maintenance is a task that requires some expertise and knowledge of the equipment and environment.
There are several factors to consider: the age and type of your furnace, where you live, how often your furnace needs service, and why you need to maintain our furnaces.
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Furnace Age and Type
Limited warranties on new oil-fired furnaces last for up to 10 years, but most manufacturers recommend oil furnaces be serviced yearly – even those with contracts lasting up to seven years.
Likewise, most manufacturers recommend yearly gas furnace maintenance. If you have a new high-efficiency furnace, the manufacturer may recommend one year of service for every 80,000 to 100,000 BTUs of heat output.
An older or less efficient furnace should receive an annual tune-up every other year because it takes more work to get them up and run after they sit idle for two seasons. However, if your old furnace is challenging to start up first thing in the fall – it’s best to schedule annual furnace maintenance Broussard, LA before summer turns into fall.
Why? Having problems starting your system during cold weather could lead to breakdowns, which are not covered under warranties. It’s always better to stay on top of potential problems than to wait for the furnace to fail!
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Where you live
The location where you live can affect how often, or if at all, your system needs annual maintenance. For example, Broussard homeowners usually think they don’t need a yearly tune-up because they rarely use their furnace, and their homes are typically warm enough not to require heating.
However, furnace maintenance Broussard, LA is recommended yearly even if the climate is mild to prevent potential problems from worsening and becoming issues that may require expensive repairs down the road.
Homes in cold weather areas should have their furnaces inspected annually before winter starts. Those living in hot weather areas should schedule inspections every year before summer begins.
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How often you need to maintain your furnace
Specific guidelines vary according to the manufacturer, but oil-fired furnaces should be serviced yearly, even with 10-year warranties. The same goes for gas furnaces that require yearly checkups before the cold season kicks in.
Also, suppose you have a newer high-efficiency boiler, an annual furnace maintenance Broussard, LA is necessary because carbon monoxide detectors cannot tell whether problems stem from equipment malfunction or poor installation by untrained technicians.
The only way to find out if issues are related to inadequate service is through a proper yearly heating system maintenance checkup – which is why it’s so important to use a licensed heating contractor for your maintenance every twelve months.
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Why you need to maintain your furnace
When you begin using your heating system after a long time without any use, some concerns may need attention immediately. An oil tank with water, for instance, can damage pumps within the storage container, and a gas line that leaks can be a fire hazard.
In addition, other concerns may need your attention before you start using your furnace for the first time. When an oil tank is pumped out, water can often collect inside. In some cases, there’s enough water to damage the high-pressure oil pump within the storage container, so you must drain it before refilling with oil.
What To Expect During a Furnace Maintenance Appointment?
Remember that furnaces need special attention and maintenance to keep them running correctly. While you can do certain things at home, such as cleaning out the surrounding areas and changing filters, significant problems require professional attention.
If at any time you feel unsafe or unsure about working with or around your furnace, either call a family member who is familiar with these systems or preferably contact a local heating contractor for assistance.
Below are a few things to expect from your furnace maintenance Broussard, LA visit. However, it is also important to remember that they may vary slightly depending on your equipment’s make/model, age, and condition.
Inspect Furnace Thoroughly
During your appointment, your unit will be inspected from top to bottom, including all components such as the blower motor housing and coils located inside the furnace cabinet. These parts are often neglected during standard furnace maintenance visits.
Examine Burners
Your technician will also inspect your burners, including the pilot assembly if applicable, for proper combustion and will clean or replace dirty or damaged parts as necessary. They may even recommend changing out your burner tips to ensure less turbulence in the flame and reducing drafts throughout your home since most newer furnaces are equipped with “variable speed” blower motors that adjust their speed based on demand.
Check for Potential Leaks in Gas and Oil Lines
It is crucial because a leak in either line could cause dangerous gas buildup within your home, possibly leading to an explosion! You’ll rest easy knowing the experts take all precautions necessary during inspection of these potentially life-threatening scenarios.
Acadiana Comfort Offers Furnace Maintenance in Broussard, LA
Furnace maintenance is an integral part of any home. By having your unit inspected and serviced annually, you could avoid costly repairs or dangerous incidents.
As part of our commitment to safety here at Acadiana Comfort, we remind everyone to stay safe this winter. For more information about heating in general, or if you are ready for a little bit of spring cleaning on your furnace and need a local professional to service your unit, call us now at (337) 636-6463. We are available round-the-clock for fast, safe, and reliable HVAC service.
