Get your furnace scheduled for a tune-up before the winter snows arrive
Winter heating isn’t the first thing that comes to mind as you’re sweating your way through the summer months. However, summer is the perfect time to think about furnace maintenance. If you don’t get your furnace serviced before winter comes, you can’t be sure if it will do its job, and the last thing you want is to literally be left out in the cold.
Professional Maintenance
Hiring a professional to inspect and maintain your furnace guarantees that a thorough job is performed and your furnace functions as it should. Professional technicians will:
• Clean out dirt from places you can’t see
• Test airflow and how well ducts are sealed
• Check and test the burner and pilot light if your furnace has them
• Inspect and lubricate all moving parts
• Check the flue
• Look over the condition of the furnace and all components including the thermostat and controls
• Test safety, including any potential dangers from carbon monoxide
• Make sure that the temperature is correct in all areas of the house to avoid cold spots
This complete maintenance is not only necessary for older furnaces but for new models as well. If you have to make a warranty claim, you may need to provide the furnace manufacturer with records to show that you’ve had the unit inspected regularly.
Do-It-Yourself Maintenance
There are a few things you should do throughout the year to make sure that your furnace continues to operate well until the next scheduled maintenance visit. Inspecting and changing the filter on a regular basis ensures efficiency and keeps the circulating air clean. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to monitor levels just in case something goes wrong. While that’s monitoring the air, you should monitor the furnace for any strange noises, unnaturally short cycles or the presence of accumulating soot. Any of these could be signs of a more serious problem that requires professional intervention.
When and How to Schedule
Don’t wait to schedule furnace maintenance. The best time to have a professional check out your furnace is late summer or early fall before there’s any chance of truly cold weather. This gives technicians enough time to do a thorough inspection and make any necessary repairs. All you have to do is contact your local energy company and set up an annual maintenance visit.
In the MA and RI areas, winter months can be brutal. Dupuis Energy can provide the routine maintenance that your furnace needs to stay in top shape during the cold weather. Visit our website or give us a call today to set up a regular service schedule.