The colder weather is here and it’s only going to get a little brisker, experts recommend having a professional service your furnace to keep it in good running condition. Annual furnace maintenance is a prudent thing to do as a homeowner so you can prevent it from breaking down when you need it most. So Fox Heating and Cooling is happy to give you the run-down on getting your Wheat Ridge Home’s Furnace maintenance.

What happens if you don’t service your furnace?

According to some experts, up to about 75% of no-heat calls in the winter are caused by the lack or absence of maintenance. A furnace that is left unserviced for long periods of time can suddenly stop working and in most cases when you will notice the most.

Even more, there is a safety and health concern associated with unserviced furnaces. HVAC technicians like Fox Heating and Cooling are there to perform standard full-point inspections. This also includes tests such as detecting carbon monoxide leaks, which are hard to detect because the gas used in a furnace is colorless and odorless. Carbon monoxide can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even death. In certain cases, your furnace can stop functioning and be found upon inspection unsafe leading it to be “red-tagged”, meaning it cannot be turned on until proper repair or replacement.

How much does it cost to service your furnace?

A typical furnace inspection can range across different providers. If you have kept your furnace regularly inspected and maintained you could expect the costs from $50 – $100. Money well spent at each inspection should guarantee a long life expectancy for your unit. Even more, a well-maintained furnace will help keep costs of utilities down as it will be more efficient in its job. So a simple annual inspection cost like this is well worth the time and effort, especially if you can avoid the dreaded problem of replacing a furnace.

How do I know if my furnace needs cleaning?

Some HVAC contractors swear by an annual cleaning and tune-up for your Wheat Ridge home. Some of this is in part to your furnace having to work extra hard during the transitory months of the year here in Denver, where wild temperature fluctuations occur – making your furnace work harder. But typically, a new furnace should not need tune-ups or service until every other year. However, once your furnace starts its journey past 8-10 years it is heavily recommended that you schedule those services and inspections annually. 

You will most likely know when your furnace is ready for service issues such as; failure to heat, blowing cool air when on, making unusual noises, or even turning on and off irregularly should be signs that your furnace is ready for service.

Note: Remember, some manufacturers require that your brand new furnace be regularly maintained in order to keep your warranty in place.