While winters aren’t as cold in Sacramento as they are in some parts of the country, they can still feel surprisingly chilly. During the cold spells, you don’t want to suffer from an unexpected breakdown. Through timely furnace maintenance in Sacramento, you can ensure your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is working properly.
Skipping furnace maintenance might save you time now, but it could lead to significant expenses in the future. Learn how to avoid expensive repairs and keep your home warm all season long.
Why Regular Furnace Maintenance Matters
In the United States, approximately $14 billion is spent on furnace repairs and maintenance every year. Additionally, three million heating and cooling systems are replaced annually. However, many of these costs could be avoided through proper furnace maintenance. By accessing preventative heating services near you, you can avoid costly furnace repairs and replacements.
Extend the Life of Your Furnace
One of the most important benefits of furnace maintenance is that it extends the lifespan of your furnace. A furnace will typically last 15 to 20 years if it has been well-maintained. If the furnace is not properly cared for, it will begin to break down years earlier.
Save on Costly Repairs
When it comes to furnace tune-up benefits, one of the major advantages is getting fewer repairs. Many maintenance tasks, like filter changes and cleaning components, help prevent furnace wear and tear. If these maintenance tasks aren’t carried out, the added wear will eventually cause a component to fail. Instead of paying to replace costly components in the future, you can save money by scheduling winter furnace care each year.
Lower Energy Bills
By getting routine maintenance, you can save a significant amount on your energy bills. In the United States, heating costs, on average, can account for approximately 29% of a home’s energy expenses, depending on the region and the type of heating system used. Routine maintenance directly affects how much energy your heating system uses. For instance, up to 35% of your home’s heat is lost through your ductwork. Badly sealed ducts and tiny pinholes allow heat loss, but these holes can be discovered and sealed with the help of an expert HVAC technician.
Better Safety
As a part of home heating maintenance, our HVAC technicians look for common signs of safety problems. For instance, the scent of sulfur or rotten eggs can indicate a gas leak. Similarly, burning odors often stem from electrical malfunctions.
During the maintenance appointment, the HVAC technician will carefully inspect each component for signs of wear. Then, they’ll clean your furnace and lubricate moving parts so that they are working properly. Thanks to our regular maintenance inspections, you can enjoy better peace of mind.
Improved Performance
By scheduling maintenance and furnace repair in Sacramento, you can enjoy better furnace performance. Over time, a lack of maintenance strains your HVAC system. Unsurprisingly, one of the first signs of a repair issue is higher energy bills. Because of poor performance, the furnace has to work harder to reach the same temperature, which leads to higher energy costs.
Thankfully, you can reverse your furnace’s performance issues by scheduling winter furnace care before the cold season gets underway. To keep your family warm this cold season, call or fill out our online form today.
The Hidden Costs of Furnace Neglect
From poor furnace efficiency to more expensive repairs, furnace neglect can be incredibly expensive. The best HVAC maintenance tips can prevent these issues and ensure your furnace achieves its optimal performance.
Common Issues Caused by Neglect
By carrying out home heating maintenance, you can ensure your HVAC system lasts as long as possible. The following issues are just a few examples of the problems that can occur because of furnace neglect.
- Clogged Filters: Ideally, furnace filters should be inspected monthly. At a minimum, they should be replaced every three months. Depending on the manufacturer, climate conditions, and usage, the filter may need to be changed as frequently as every month. If the filter isn’t changed, it can lead to poor airflow, overheating, and dirty furnace components. All these issues can increase the likelihood of a breakdown.
- Inefficient Heating: A poorly maintained furnace will struggle to heat your home efficiently. Besides being uncomfortable, this inefficiency leads to higher energy bills.
- Complete System Failures: Eventually, poor maintenance can end up causing a total system failure. When this happens, you’ll need to immediately call Fox Family Heating & Air for heating repair services. After diagnosing the underlying problem, we can determine if it’s possible to repair your furnace or if a full furnace replacement is necessary.
- Cracked Heat Exchangers: When your furnace has poor airflow, it makes it overheat. In turn, this can cause the heat exchanger to crack. A cracked heat exchanger can also occur because of normal wear and tear, corrosion, poor maintenance, and incomplete combustion.
How Furnace Neglect Costs You Money
Over time, furnace neglect can end up costing a significant amount of money. The Department of Energy estimates that proper maintenance, good insulation, sealing, and thermostat adjustments can reduce your energy bill by 30%.
Besides energy costs, furnace neglect leads to more frequent malfunctions. Over time, the cost of furnace repair in Sacramento can start to add up. A badly maintained furnace will also have a shorter longevity, meaning you’ll end up spending more on replacement costs in the future.
Cost Comparison: Maintenance Vs. Repairs
As a homeowner, it’s important to understand when it makes sense to repair, replace, or maintain your heating system. If you’re trying to determine the best winter furnace care, we can help. Reach out to our HVAC professionals for Sacramento’s top furnace maintenance and repairs!
Why Prevention Is Cheaper Than Repairs
When it comes to furnace repair, furnace maintenance is significantly cheaper than repairs. The upfront cost of repairs can easily run into hundreds of dollars. In comparison, finding preventative furnace maintenance services near you is fairly inexpensive, especially if you sign up for a membership plan.
Other than the upfront expenses, you also have to consider all of the other expenses and inconveniences that cost more. For instance, a badly maintained furnace will cost more to run, so you’ll pay more on your utility bills. You will also need to get a new furnace sooner, which leads to more expensive replacement costs.
Maintenance Plans Make Prevention Simple
One of the best HVAC maintenance tips is to join a maintenance plan. At Fox Family Heating & Air, our maintenance plan includes two inspections of your HVAC components each year.
During the HVAC inspection, we’ll look for safety issues, like gas leaks, pilot light malfunctions, and electrical problems. Then, we will make sure that your thermostat, filters, belts, and other components are functioning properly. If anything is worn, we will replace it.
Before we go, we’ll clean the furnace and lubricate moving parts. If there are any necessary repairs or upgrades, we’ll discuss our recommendations so that you have plenty of time to consider your options and schedule a repair appointment.
When you set up a maintenance plan, it makes the entire process of caring for your furnace much easier. Our team members will track when your next maintenance appointment is needed. When the right time arrives, we’ll call to offer flexible scheduling options. Then, we’ll take care of all the dirty work so that you can relax and enjoy a comfortable, more energy-efficient home.
Tips for Effective Furnace Maintenance
To save money on your energy costs and HVAC repairs, you need the best furnace maintenance in Sacramento. If a problem develops, it’s important to seek expert advice right away. In between your furnace maintenance appointments, there are a few things you can do to keep your furnace working properly.
Simple Steps To Keep Your Furnace Running Smoothly
As a Sacramento homeowner, there are a few simple maintenance activities you can perform throughout the year. By performing the following tasks, you can ensure the best possible furnace efficiency and fewer unexpected HVAC repairs.
- Change Filters: By far, one of the most important home heating maintenance tasks is to clean or replace your air filters regularly. Depending on the manufacturer’s specifications, this task should ideally be done every 30 to 90 days.
- Schedule Annual Tune-Ups: During an annual tune-up, your furnace will be cleaned and inspected for signs of wear. Then, the HVAC technician will lubricate moving parts to prevent additional wear.
- Check for Unusual Noises or Smells: Your furnace shouldn’t produce any unusual noises or smells. If you smell gas or a burning scent, reach out for professional help right away. Additionally, you should call for help if you notice any ongoing noises because these sounds could mean that one of the components is faulty.
- Look at Your Thermostat: Sometimes, family members will change the thermostat settings or adjust the temperature without asking. Periodically, it’s a good idea to check your thermostat to make sure the settings are correct. You can also lower your energy costs by 10% by simply reducing your indoor temperature by 7°F to 10°F for eight hours each day.
- Clean Your Vents: Your vents and registers play an important role in ensuring proper airflow in your home. You can easily clean your vents by removing the cover and vacuuming out the inside of the duct. After washing the vent with warm, soapy water, wait for it to dry completely before installing it in its initial position.
If you are unsure about the best way to care for your furnace, the best preventive heating services near you can help. Reach out to our team to get answers to all of your pressing furnace-related questions.
Know When To Get Professional Help
As a homeowner, it can be difficult to tell when a noise or unexpected airflow issue means you need emergency heating repair. In general, you should reach out for help if you experience any of the following situations.
- Yellow, Flickering Pilot Lights: A yellow or flickering pilot light means there is incomplete combustion. This problem should be repaired promptly because it can lead to carbon monoxide buildup.
- Sulfur Smells: The smell of rotten eggs is a sign of a gas leak, which necessitates immediate help.
- Weird Noises: Unusual sounds indicate faulty components that need timely repairs.
- Burning Scents: Burning smells may mean you have an electrical malfunction. Because this can lead to a fire or electrocution, it’s important to get help right away.
- Furnace Failure: When your furnace fails, you need immediate help to ensure your family’s warmth and safety.
- Cold Temperatures: If the weather is particularly cold, you should always seek out emergency help for any performance-related problem. You don’t want to risk the health, safety, and comfort of your loved ones when the temperatures start to drop.
Don’t wait for your furnace to fail. Contact us today to schedule your winter maintenance and enjoy peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace Maintenance
Over the years, we’ve answered many common questions about furnace maintenance. The following questions are some of the ones we hear the most often.
How often should I schedule furnace maintenance?
To avoid costly furnace repairs, we recommend scheduling a furnace maintenance appointment at least once a year. Ideally, this appointment should occur in the fall before you need to use your furnace all the time.
What are the signs my furnace needs repair?
There are a few common indications that you may need to schedule furnace services in Sacramento. Unusual noises and strange scents are signs that something is wrong with your HVAC system. Additionally, sudden unexplainable increases in your power bill, uneven heating, short cycling, and poor airflow are all symptoms of furnace-related problems.
Is furnace maintenance worth the cost?
By scheduling routine furnace maintenance, you can save a significant amount of money on repair costs. Many repairs stem from poor maintenance, so you can prevent problems from happening by taking care of your system. Additionally, furnace maintenance improves your heating system’s performance, so you can spend less money on your power bill.
What does it cost to service a furnace?
The cost of servicing a furnace can vary from one company to another. At Fox Heating & Air, we offer a membership plan that helps keep costs as low as possible.
What happens if you don’t maintain your furnace?
If you don’t maintain your furnace consistently, it will break down more often. A clogged filter will lead to poor indoor air quality. Because poor maintenance increases wear, you’ll likely experience performance issues, more frequent repairs, weak airflow, and overheating.
Prepare Your Furnace for Wintertime Heating Needs
If you want to stay warm this winter, you need the best furnace maintenance in Sacramento. Through proactive maintenance, you can avoid costly furnace repairs, unexpected breakdowns, and expensive energy bills.
Ensure your furnace stays in peak condition. Schedule your next maintenance appointment today!