3 Reasons to Get Your Heater Tuned Up Before Cold Weather Arrives

Nearly every homeowner has heard from an HVAC technician that their home’s heating system should get annual preventative maintenance. Now, we know what you’re thinking: “But does my heater really need that? Really?”

While there’s no law requiring you to get annual tune-ups for your heater, there are three significant considerations that people often overlook when deciding whether or not to schedule maintenance.

1. Furnaces get dirty—really dirty.

Your furnace’s components may seem like they’re tucked away, safe from dust and dirt, but nothing could be further from the truth. Because of the airflow through your system, even with a filter in place, your furnace is being exposed to dust constantly. That dust becomes a grimy buildup that reduces your equipment’s efficiency.

Grimy burners have trouble burning evenly and at the correct height. This means that it will take your furnace longer to heat cold air in your home, which, in turn, means it will need to use more energy. This translates into higher energy bills.

If your system gets dirty enough, it might not even ignite at all. Either the dust will prevent the ignition from getting hot enough, or the thermocouple will shut your system off because ignition is taking too long to occur.

2. Avoid a breakdown during a time of year that’s really busy for HVAC technicians.

Before heading out on a long cross-country move or road trip, it’s always a good idea to get your car tuned up so that you can be sure your transportation will last the entire journey. Similarly, before winter officially arrives, you want to be sure that your furnace is ready to take on freezing temperatures, the odd snowstorm, and long periods of daily use.

Keep in mind that HVAC technicians are busiest during two times of year in Texas: summer and winter. By getting your furnace serviced during the fall, you can avoid a mid-winter breakdown, when wait times for a repair may be longer.

3. Poorly-maintained gas and oil furnaces can be a safety hazard.

Lack of maintenance not only makes gas furnaces and oil furnaces less efficient—it can also make them dangerous. These types of furnaces make heat by burning fuel. That process (combustion) creates byproducts that are toxic to breathe, such as carbon monoxide.

During your furnace tune-up appointment, your Tom's Mechanical, Inc. technician will inspect the unit for any issues that could indicate dangerous problems like a gas leak or a carbon monoxide leak. Keeping an eye on your furnace’s heat exchanger is particularly important, as this component separates your “breathing air” from the air that mixes with all the flue gases and combustion byproducts.

At Tom's Mechanical, Inc., our Arlington technicians are dedicated to providing our customers with thorough heater tune-ups so that you can enjoy a warm, safe home throughout the harshest winters. Schedule your furnace maintenance appointment by giving us a call at (972) 388-3669 or contacting us online!