Top 5 Reasons for Regular Furnace Cleaning

1. It Prevents Unexpected and Costly Furnace Breakdowns

When you schedule your furnace clean and check on a regular basis, you are preventing breakdowns. By having a seasoned expert inspect and clean your system, he or she can spot any impending repairs or weaknesses. This alerts you, so you can take care of the issue in a timely manner, avoiding middle-of-the-night emergencies when emergency services will cost you more.

 

2. It Saves on Monthly Energy Bills

By having your furnace cleaned regularly, which includes replacing or cleaning your filter, your furnace can work more efficiently, saving you energy. Once it gets dirty, airflow becomes diminished and blocked, causing your furnace to work harder, using more energy to do the same amount of work it normally does under easier conditions.

 

3. It Keeps You and Your Family Safe

When your furnace is not inspected and cleaned before you use it every fall, you run the risk of missing a possible unsafe issue or repair. Sometimes something as dangerous as a cracked heat exchanger can occur. According to AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute) this can leak toxic carbon monoxide into your home's air, and you may not be aware of it at the beginning stages of the problem. By then, dangerous levels of the poisonous gas could already be in your home. Your professional technician can spot and address safety issues prior to them becoming unsafe.

 

4. It Extends Your Furnace's Lifespan

Your furnace is meant to run smoothly and efficiently, with an expected lifespan of 15 to 20 years (for gas furnaces). When you neglect its annual clean and check, the dirt and dust accumulated inside builds up and causes problems. This in turn forces your system to work harder, wearing down its parts sooner. Keeping things running smoothly helps your furnace live a long and healthy life.

 

5. It Keeps the Warranty Valid

Your furnace most likely came with a manufacturer's warranty. Many of these warranties specify regular maintenance needs to be performed to keep the system in tip-top shape and to prevent unneeded repairs. By not scheduling these maintenance appointments, your chance of incurring repairs increases and may void your warranty.

 

When should you clean your furnace?

The simple answer is once every 2 years. However, if there are children or pets living in the house this should be done as often as once every year due to the potentially added accumulation of dander, hair, dirt, and other pollutants.

Additionally, there are indicators if you need a furnace clean right away:

• Little wisps of dust puffs from air vents when you turn on your home's heating ventilation system.
• Dust or pet hair trapped in your vents
• Dust coated on the grill and return air registers
• If you had to clean your house from dust too often

 

Following reasons can also be a sign of dirty ductwork:

• Excessive coughing and irritation
• Recurring respiratory illnesses
• Seasonal allergies happening off-season

 

What happens in your duct?

Inside your duct system, fine dust collects on air duct surfaces, vents, motors, and coils.  These flakes of dead skin, hair, and pet dander catch onto the dust, and before too long this process creates a dense, mat-like environment where bacteria, mold, dust mites, and allergens can thrive.

Air filters remove most of these from the air stream but are not guaranteed and do not always cover for all parts of the HVAC system.

 

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Often overlooked, dryer vent duct leading from your dryer to the outside of your home require regular cleaning. Lint and debris which are not trapped by the screen get through and can gradually clog the vent, leading to decreased dryer function and in extreme cases, a potential fire hazard to your home.