American StandardExperts recommend that homeowners have their heating system checked twice a year. Don't wait until you and your family are stuck in the cold to have 360 Air Tech look at your heating system. There are 5 reasons to have a system tune-up each fall:
- SAFETY: carbon monoxide leaks account for almost 500 deaths a year, and about 50,000 people visit the ER due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in the US. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless so it is hard to detect it. You can install a carbon monoxide detector to check for it. Another precaution you can take is to have a furnace check up completed every year. If the heat exchanger cracks, it can allow carbon monoxide or other gases to leak into your home. A trained professional will check to make sure that there are no cracks, and that there are no other signs that a crack might form.
- INCREASE FURNACE LIFESPAN: like any machine, regular maintenance will increase the lifespan of your furnace. Making sure there are no broken or damaged parts will increase the efficiency of the furnace’s heating process and decrease the wear and tear that would shorten its lifespan. Most furnaces can last from 15 to 20 years, and a new furnace will cost you anywhere from $1,500 to $6,500 depending on size and quality. The longer a furnace can operate, the less money you are paying.
- EFFICIENCY: Having a furnace that operates efficiently is important for a number of reasons. The top 3 reasons are: increased lifespan (as previously discussed), lower energy bills, and a more comfortable home. If a furnace can operate efficiently, that means it is using less energy to produce heat. Less energy means a lower bill for you to pay at the end of the month. Efficiency also means that your home will maintain a comfortable temperature because the furnace is able to produce the desired amount of heat. Rather than dealing with a home that is too cold, or too hot in some places, you want a furnace that is just right. By having a yearly visit from a trained technician, you are making sure that everything is running smoothly and efficiently, no parts are damaged or wearing out, and there are no warning signs of a bigger issue.
- WARRANTY: For most parts in a furnace, there is a 5-year warranty, but there can be longer warranties, depending on the company you go with. Most warranties require you to have regular maintenance completed each year. If you don’t have documented receipts and something breaks on the furnace, the warranty could be voided and you’d have to pay for parts out of your own pocket.
- AIR QUALITY: as part of maintenance, the filters in your furnace should be replaced. The filter’s job is to remove dust, debris, and other floating particles from the air, before it is circulated throughout your home. The furnace and HVAC system share the same filter, so you can easily change it on your own. Most filters need to be changed out every 3 months or so, but higher quality filters can last longer. Ask your furnace technician about what type of filter they would recommend for your home.
Regular maintenance for your furnace is key to maintaining an efficient and healthy machine. You can help increase the lifespan of not only the furnace but your entire HVAC system, by joining 360 Air Tech’s Maintenance Club today! We help you to schedule your annual furnace and HVAC checkups so that you don’t have to keep track. For our club members, there are a lot of perks, including:
- 10% discount on all service repairs (parts and labor)
- 1 year warranty on all parts and labor done by 360 Air Tech
- Transferable club membership to another location, or to a new owner if you sell your home
Don’t wait until your furnace quits on the coldest night of the year! Call 360 Air Tech today to schedule your annual furnace check-up, so you and your loved ones aren’t left out in the cold!
