Don’t Get Left in the Cold: Essential Furnace Maintenance Tasks You Should Never Forget 

As the cooler nights begin, there is no better time to ensure your furnace is ready for the challenge of keeping your home comfortable. From energy bills to safety, we’ll explore the key reasons why furnace maintenance is crucial, offering you valuable insights and tips to keep your home warm and comfortable throughout the colder months. 

 

Why is Furnace Maintenance Important?  

Your furnace is like the heart of your home, neglecting your furnace’s regular upkeep can lead to not only decreased efficiency but also potential safety hazards. A well-maintained furnace operates more efficiently, which means it uses less energy to heat your home. This translates to lower utility bills and reduced energy consumption, benefiting both your wallet and the environment. Furnaces, especially those powered by natural gas, can pose safety risks if not properly maintained, for example, cracked heat exchangers or faulty gas connections can lead to gas leaks or carbon monoxide leaks, endangering your family’s health and safety. 

 

Signs that your furnace needs maintenance 

If you aren’t sure how old your furnace is, then there are some tell-a-tale signs to provide an indication that your furnace is ailing. Most notably, signs of wear and tear and bill irregularities. Other signs include frequent repairs, rising energy bills, unusual noises, and smells, as well as dust or soot build-up around the registers. A furnace typically needs the most repairs in the last two years of its usable life. If the costs of recent maintenance are 50% or more than the cost of a new high-efficiency unit, then you should consider replacing your current furnace. Check out our other blog for more signs your furnace needs maintenance or replacement.  

 

The benefits of regular furnace maintenance 

There are many benefits of regular furnace maintenance, including: 

• More consistent heating. 
• Improved air quality.  
• Improved energy-efficiency.  
• Quieter operation.  
• Peace of mind.  

Don’t forget: Regular maintenance can catch small problems before they escalate into major, costly repairs – finding and resolving issues early on can save you from emergency repair bills and inconvenience. 

 

DIY Furnace maintenance tasks 

Normally, furnace maintenance and repairs should be left to qualified professionals, but there are a few simple tasks you can do yourself to help keep your furnace running efficiently.  

• Replace your air filter: Replacing the air filter is not a difficult job as most will have an arrow on the cardboard sides of the filter. Find a helpful how-to guide here and subscribe to our air filter program for easy delivery of air filters on your schedule.  
• Clean vents and registers: Vacuum or dust vents and registers throughout your home. 
• Ensure your thermostat is working correctly: Replace the batteries if necessary and consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat for energy savings. 
• Test the Carbon Monoxide Detector: Ensure your carbon monoxide detector is in good working order. Test it regularly and replace the batteries as needed. 
• Clear the Area: Ensure no obstructions or flammable materials are near your furnace. Keep the area clean and clutter-free. 

Remember: if you ever feel uncomfortable or unsure about performing any DIY maintenance tasks, it’s best to consult a professional HVAC technician. 

 

Common furnace maintenance mistakes to avoid 

Saving money is top of mind for many Canadians, however, there are many easy-to-forget or neglected maintenance tasks that can cause issues for your furnace. Some of those include: 

• Skipping Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance helps catch problems early, ensuring your furnace operates smoothly and safely. 
• Ignoring the Thermostat: Inaccurate readings or a malfunctioning thermostat can lead to uneven heating and increased energy consumption. 
• Not Replacing Filters: Dirty or clogged air filters can severely impact your furnace’s efficiency and air quality.  
• Skipping Professional Inspections: While DIY maintenance is important, it should not replace professional inspections 

 

The cost of furnace maintenance 

Typically, the cost of maintaining your furnace will range from company to company. At Crystal Heating & Cooling, we offer our customers a furnace maintenance checkup plan that starts at $135+tx. Our plans preserve the manufacturer’s warranty and extend your home comfort appliance lifespan! 

 

Hiring a professional for furnace maintenance 

There is no one better to perform your yearly maintenance checks than the people who installed it and know it best! Ensure that the company you choose is licensed and certified to operate in Ontario. This will ensure that they are following all local regulations and safety guidelines. At Crystal Heating and Cooling, we are proud members of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority as well as the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI).   

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Not only are we here to provide exceptional HVAC services, but we’re also here to help you understand the ins and outs of HVAC care for your home. If you have additional burning furnace-related questions, give our team a call at 519-756-6888. We’d be happy to talk!