When should I have my furnace inspected?

Some professionals believe it is safest to have your furnace inspected bi-annually (twice a year). Others think annually (every year) is good,and still others say that for the first 10 years,it’s OK to have it inspected biennially (every other year). The government website recommends an inspection by a qualified technician annually. Despite this,many people don’t have their furnaces inspected at all until they sell their homes and are required to do so by the buyer.

What are the risks taken when a furnace isn’t cleaned regularly?

1. The first and foremost risk is,your family members’ health. 

   Furnaces create gases. The most dangerous of these is carbon monoxide (CO),which is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer”. It is produced when fuel burns and released into the air when the furnace heat exchanger is cracked. Besides being poisonous,CO is colorless and odorless,making it hard to detect without a CO meter or alarm.

   Symptoms of CO are similar to flu symptoms,another reason it isn’t easily detected. You may have headache,vomiting,weakness,chest pain,dizziness,and confusion. Enough of this gas leaking into your home and you can faint and die. Especially vulnerable are infants,people with chronic disease,such as heart disease,anemia,breathing issues,and the elderly.

   Other toxic elements that escape are carbon dioxide,nitrogen oxides,and soot. Furthermore,if your filters are dirty,dust particles are thrown into the air of your home. These particles can trigger sinus congestions and allergic reactions to mold,pollen,and dust mites and other airborne issues.

   If your family seems sick,and you haven’t had your furnace checked,please don’t hesitate to call an HVAC specialist and ask to have your furnace cleaned and certified. You can shut the gas off until someone comes.

2. Then there is the health of your furnace.

   HVAC experts agree that 75% of repairs could have been avoided if the furnaces had been properly serviced. Dirty furnace parts can shorten the life of the vital parts of your furnace. For this reason,most furnace manufacturers require regular maintenance as a condition for their warranty

3. There is the efficiency of your furnace

   The lifespan of your furnace means money in your pocket,but so does efficiency. A dirty furnace cannot produce heat efficiently,making for higher power bills. These add up. You also get unstable temperatures in your home. This is also true of broken parts. If,for example,your blower wheel is broken you furnace is handicapped and not heating your home as it should.

While furnaces tend to make noises,if you hear noises that is unusual,like scraping,popping,or squealing noises,chances are something is threatening your pocketbook. If you furnace is in the crawlspace of your home,however,you may not hear the noises. Winter is no time to have your furnace go out. Broken pipes due to freezing can cost a small fortune. It’s best to have your furnace cleaned and certified annually–well before the winter rush.