Warm up to the benefits of annual furnace inspection
Much like a car, a furnace needs tuning to keep it in good working order. And regular maintenance will prevent it from breaking down when you need it most. Poor furnace maintenance is to blame for most of the emergency calls heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) experts receive in the winter, they say. So it’s a good idea to have a professional inspect and service your furnace before the cold weather hits.
A good rule of thumb is to have your furnace inspected at least once a year. An annual furnace inspection will prolong the life of the system, reduce your energy bills and even decrease health risks. For starters, a furnace inspection will reveal problems within your furnace that may cause it to fail or run inefficiently. Identifying and fixing these problems before winter will ensure that your furnace works when the temperatures drop. And you’ll enjoy lower heating bills as a result of your furnace working at a higher efficiency.
A furnace inspection can also reveal carbon monoxide leaks, which are typically hard to detect. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea and even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 430 people die in the United States each year as a result of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. And about 50,000 people are taken to emergency rooms to treat exposure.
If you have a pro out to do an inspection only, you may have to pay a small trip charge or service fee. (Ask whether that amount will be taken off your bill if you have work done.) If your inspection includes a furnace tuneup, sometimes known as a furnace cleaning, that will typically cost $60 to $85.
HVAC pros will conduct a number of services in a furnace tuneup, including:
Cleaning the heating system.
Inspecting controls for safety.
Checking thermostat settings.
Inspecting electrical connections and testing voltage. Lubricating moving parts. Inspecting the condensate drain for obstructions.
Checking system start-up and shutdown controls.
Changing the furnace filter. Your HVAC system is among the most complex systems running through your home. So it’s important that you hire a qualified HVAC professional to perform inspections and services. Many states have licensing requirements for HVAC contractors.
The National Contractor License Service maintains a list of each state’s professional licensing agency. You can also search for licenses through Angie’s List License Check. Consult with your local licensing agency
After an HVAC professional services your furnace, there are steps you can take to keep it running smoothly. Most importantly, perhaps, is changing the air filter. Energy Star, a branch of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recommends changing your furnace filter at least once every three months. A clogged air filter will restrict air flow, which can reduce efficiency and increase your exposure to environmental contaminants.
HVAC professionals also recommend using a programmable thermostat. Using a programmable thermostat to reduce your home’s temperature seven or eight degrees for eight hours a day — whether during the work day or at night — can save you up to 10 percent on your energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.