Heating systems need maintenance! This can’t be emphasized enough. Routine service for your furnace will keep it running well, so your home is evenly warm and your utility bills don’t skyrocket. It will prevent the majority of repairs you would otherwise need. It will make it so your furnace can keep you cozy for many more years before it needs to be replaced!
But there’s an even more important reason for furnace maintenance. Your top priority in life is the safety and wellbeing of your family. That’s our top priority, too! Some furnace issues can lead to safety hazards. Having your furnace inspected and maintained will prevent these problems and keep your family safe. Here’s how.
Keeping the System Clean
When your technician arrives for your furnace inspection, chances are, the furnace cabinet will be full of dust. This all has to be cleaned up. For one thing, blankets of dust lead to poor air circulation, overheating components, and risk of fire. For another, the technician can’t clearly see all the parts of the system to inspect them until they’re thoroughly cleaned!
This is not a DIY job. While you should be changing your furnace’s air filter regularly, which will reduce the dust, a full cleaning must be done by a trained professional. They’ve got the knowhow and the right tools to disassemble all the parts of the system so every component will be immaculately clean.
Keeping the System Lubricated
It doesn’t take a lot of lubricant to keep the moving parts of the heating system safely sliding against one another rather than grinding and creating friction, wear, and overheating. But that lubricant does need to be very precisely applied to certain spots every single year, because it does wear away with use.
Inspecting the Components
With everything cleaned and reassembled and moving smoothly, your technician will be able to see and access all parts of the system. They’ll check for anything out of position, coming loose, or in need of adjustment. They’ll check for anything worn, cracked, corroding, or damaged. This will allow little issues to be repaired before they turn into big problems, furnace breakdowns, or safety hazards.
Your furnace has various safety mechanisms that do things like shut the system down if it overheats, make sure the flame is burning as it should, and keep combustion gasses separate from your air so they can be properly vented. Inspecting all of these mechanisms every single year can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and more.
Testing Electrical Components
Not all furnaces use natural gas. But all furnaces do use electricity, whatever their main fuel source is. Thermostats and sensors need to be calibrated. Motors need to be drawing the exact right amount of power. Wiring needs to be securely connected. Electrical testing performed by a qualified technician can prevent electrocution and electrical fire.
With furnace inspection service in Washington, DC, you can keep your family warm and safe all winter long.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you have about your heating system.