When Is Maintenance Required on a Furnace? Yearly Tips
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Living through southeastern Michigan’s freezing winters without a dependable furnace is no fun at all. When is maintenance required on a furnace, and will it actually save you money in the long run?
The short answer: yearly inspections go a long way in helping you save money by lowering the risk of breakdowns and reducing energy bills. This is why so many homeowners trust Andy’s Statewide Heating & Air Conditioning to provide them with furnace maintenance and cleaning.
Andy’s Statewide is the best source for furnace inspection in Michigan because our technicians know these systems, and the state, better than anyone.
Whether you need heating replacement or want us to troubleshoot your heat pump, we’ll exceed your expectations every time.
Why Regular Maintenance Is So Important
Regular furnace maintenance service provided by experienced professionals does a lot for your comfort and your finances. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy with regularly scheduled furnace tune-ups.
Lower Energy Bills
When you have a qualified professional handling your furnace, you keep your equipment in peak condition no matter how wet or cold Detroit gets. This means your home can stay cozy and warm without using too much natural gas or electricity, preventing your utility bills from spiraling out of control.
Greater Comfort
Having professional furnace cleaning and other maintenance done on a regular basis ensures proper air flow through your ducts. You’ll prevent cold spots throughout your home and keep a consistently warm temperature no matter what the conditions are like outside.
Longer Lifespan
Do furnaces need maintenance for a longer lifespan? Absolutely. The harder your HVAC systems have to work, the sooner they’ll fail. With proper furnace maintenance, however, you can be certain everything will work as smoothly and efficiently as possible. This prevents wear and tear that can cause your heating system to give up the ghost too soon.
Better Air Quality
Without a good furnace cleaning every now and then, the air inside your house could be loaded with pollutants. Dust, dirt, mold, pet dander, and more could be circulating indoors and creating a health hazard as well as more severe allergies.
With our pros working on your equipment, you and those you love will be able to reduce stuffy noses, watery eyes, and sore throats.
Early Detection
Some furnace issues, such as a filthy coil or a malfunctioning wire, are hard to spot with the naked eye. Professional repair and maintenance is how you spot a small issue before it turns into a much more expensive one.
Fewer Surprise Repairs
Have you ever had your furnace suddenly stop working for no apparent reason? It’s even worse if your heater breaks down when you need it most, such as during a cold snap or a stormy night.
If you hate having to call for a repair job in the middle of the work week, maintenance is how you stay proactive.
Manufacturer Warranty Compliance
When you regularly inspect your furnace, you may catch a manufacturing defect that’s causing your unit to malfunction. Many manufacturers have warranties that cover replacement parts at no extra cost, saving you money while still providing the repairs you need.
What's typically Included in a Professional Furnace Maintenance Visit?
Heating system maintenance is a simple process that requires very little preparation on your part. When you reach out to Andy’s Statewide, you’ll go through a series of steps:
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Choose a Timeframe: We’re keen on working with you to find the most convenient time to show up in person. Make sure any pets you have are secured and away from the work area.
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Inspection: We’ll take an in-depth look at your furnace to see if there’s anything out of the ordinary. We look at components like heat exchangers, coils, wires, flame sensors, and limit switches.
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Cleaning and Adjusting: Depending on your furnace’s needs, we may perform a carbon monoxide safety check, clean burners, or swap out filters. We’ll take care of whatever you need to keep your unit in peak condition.
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Calibrating and Testing: Once we’re done maintaining your system, we’ll run through a series of tests to ensure everything is in working order. For example, we may double-check electrical connections or turn on the thermostat.
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Cycle System: We’ll go through the system from start to finish to make sure it’s working like normal. You can also ask us any questions about maintaining your unit throughout the year, such as swapping out filters or spotting warning signs.
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Clean Up: Our team adheres to strict professional standards. We’ll thoroughly clean our space once finished and happily follow up with you later to make sure your furnace is working well.
5 Major (and Minor) Signs Your Furnace Needs Maintenance
When is maintenance required on a furnace, and should you just wait for the problem to resolve itself? Sadly, a furnace showing signs of trouble will only get worse until you get a professional to look at it.
While you can improve furnace function in a few ways, you’ll need help for the following signs.
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Uneven Heating
Does your furnace seem to heat well one day, but struggle to get warm at all the next? Uneven heating can be caused by poor airflow throughout the house or within the unit.
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Frequent Cycling or Hard Starts
Your furnace should turn on and stay on for a certain period of time as it heats the home. If it keeps turning on and off, you may have a malfunctioning thermostat or inner wiring that needs adjusting.
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New Noises
Normal sounds for a furnace are light crackling (as the inner components cool off) or soft humming (as the inner components turn on). If your unit is popping, clicking, squealing, or rattling, you’re experiencing one of the most common signs of furnace wear.
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Persistent Odors
While a little dust can be normal if you haven’t cleaned your home or around the furnace in a while, foul odors need to be looked into. Very musty odors usually point to a dirty filter, while a rotten egg scent could be a dangerous gas leak.
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Old Age
Sometimes your furnace doesn’t have any problems more complex than old age. That said, you should replace your furnace once it hits the 10-year mark, since an old furnace doesn’t heat up homes quickly or thoroughly.
Sometimes you need a brand-new installation instead of maintenance. If you’re not sure which one you need more, we’ll be happy to answer your questions. Just give us a call to chat with one of our team members.
When to Schedule Furnace Maintenance
While do-it-yourself furnace maintenance is fine when it comes to dusting or changing out a filter, you need a professional for more complex jobs. We have a few recommendations on timing your maintenance appointments to stay warm.
Schedule Before Late Fall or Winter
How often do furnaces need maintenance per year, and does it matter when? We don’t recommend waiting until you’re in the middle of a frigid winter before getting a maintenance appointment. It’s best to schedule your appointment while it’s still warm, such as in late summer or early fall at the latest.
Consider Extra Maintenance for Larger Homes
When is maintenance required on a furnace when it comes to more activity? Rental properties or larger households with multiple people often have more maintenance needs. Since more people use the furnace on a regular basis, the unit has more opportunities to wear out or break down.
With that in mind, we recommend a maintenance appointment during spring, too.
How Much Does Furnace Maintenance Cost?
The cost of a furnace maintenance appointment depends on several factors, such as the model, its age, and the problems that need to be fixed. If you need a quote to help you stay within your budget, Andy’s Statewide is happy to provide an estimate.
Learn more about our heating services to see how a maintenance appointment can help you stay warm and save money in the long term.
Why Choose Andy’s Statewide?
Fixing your furnace requires both technical knowledge and regional experience. We’ve been operating in the Detroit area for several years, helping homeowners maintain their HVACs and furnaces.
Our experienced team is no stranger to the state’s heavy winters and high humidity. Not only do we understand the wear and tear your furnace faces, we can help you maintain it and extend its lifespan.
We treat all our heating and repair jobs as individual projects to make sure your unique needs are met.
It’s Cold Out There: Call Andy’s Statewide Today
When is maintenance required on a furnace when you live in Michigan? When you live in or around Detroit, you already know how cold it can get in the winter. It’s not uncommon for the city to stay below the freezing point for weeks or get below zero.
It’s better to be safe than sorry with yearly maintenance appointments with our local maintenance and repair team. Andy’s Statewide and our team of expert technicians will take care of your heating system so you don’t have to shiver throughout the winter.
Schedule a maintenance appointment with us today to learn about everything we can do for you.