Happy fall! It’s time to get ready for the weather to get chillier and chillier. Are you prepared?
One of the things that should be high on your list of autumn priorities is furnace maintenance. There are so many reasons to have this done. It can help you avoid all kinds of problems. Perhaps most importantly, especially during the severe cold snaps we sometimes have here, furnace maintenance can prevent your furnace from breaking down.
How Furnace Breakdowns Occur
A furnace might completely stop working for a lot of reasons, but it is most likely to happen just when you need it most, because that’s when you’re putting the most strain on the system. It could be that a component that keeps it working has failed. Or, it could be that a safety mechanism has been triggered, forcing a shutdown to prevent serious hazards.
Often, it’s a matter of a small problem gradually worsening without you realizing anything is wrong. A component might be loose, misaligned or miscalibrated, or drawing the wrong amperage of power. There could be a blockage interfering with airflow, such as a thickening layer of dust. Eventually, the small problem gets bad enough to cause a furnace breakdown.
How Maintenance Prevents Breakdowns
The four main parts of furnace maintenance are cleaning, lubrication, inspection, and testing. Cleaning removes all that dusty buildup and helps with airflow, and also makes it so that your technician can clearly see all the components in order to complete the rest of the steps. Lubrication helps moving parts glide easily rather than grinding, creating friction and wear and tear.
The inspection process is extensive. Some sections of the system need to be disassembled so every part can be checked. Anything loose or out of place is secured. Anything worn or damaged is replaced. The testing ensures that safety systems, electrical components and wiring, and gas components and lines are all operating exactly as they should.
Now that everything is clean and lubricated, moving easily with good airflow, in the proper positions, and securely connected, the whole system will work better. It will be more efficient, using less energy to get the job done. It will be more effective, so your home’s warmth will be evenly cozy. And it will be much less likely to require any repairs this year or to break down just when you need it most.
DIY Maintenance
If you start tinkering with your furnace, you’ll be lucky if all you do is void your warranty! It’s easy to damage one thing while trying to fix another, or to create a safety hazard due to the electricity or gas. Your annual maintenance must be performed by a professional. But every month during the winter, you should change your furnace’s air filter yourself. This will help keep the system clean and working well.
We’re ready to help you out with heating system installation, routine maintenance, or furnace repair in Castroville, TX.
Contact D’Spain Sales & Service to talk to a member of our team.
