Between professional lawn applications and raking, you probably do a lot to get your yard ready for colder temps. In your home, your furnace is the same. It also calls for upkeep to keep it operating properly during the fall and winter.

But how often should you service your furnace in Greater Richmond? What if it was recently installed? Or working well? Are tune-ups needed then? Let’s go over why furnace maintenance is needed and how regularly you should book it.

Why Furnace Maintenance Is Important

Your furnace is essential to keeping your house cozy during cold temps. When it’s frequently tuned up, you’ll receive reliable, efficient heating. If you frequently skip maintenance, your furnace can become dirty. This can make your furnace work48} more and, as a result, increase your utility costs. A lack of tune-ups can also result in your furnace breaking down, saddling you with pricey repair bills that could have been avoided in many outcomes.

One of the most important tasks you can do by yourself is frequently replacing your furnace’s air filter. When your filter gets too dirty, your furnace may start taking action by doing something called short cycling, where it switches on and off more often to avoid overheating. Apart from the fact that this affects your energy costs, it also decreases your furnace’s life cycle since it’s running more regularly.

If you have a flat filter, we suggest replacing it at minimum monthly. Pleated filters can last up to three months. An easy method to determine whether you need to replace your filter is by taking it out and holding it up to the light. If you don’t notice light through it, you should get a new one.

However, how frequently you should replace your filter is dependent upon how often your furnace runs, if you have indoor animals and if anyone in your residence deals with allergies. The Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling technicians can assist you if you aren’t sure how often you should change your filter or what the ideal model is for your house.

How Regularly You Should Request Furnace Maintenance

We recommend scheduling furnace maintenance in Greater Richmond yearly, ideally during the time between air conditioning and heating season. This will give you an advantage just in case you need any repairs and will ensure you get stress-free heating during the winter. It also keeps your manufacturer’s warranty valid, which is critical if you use a new furnace.

Besides getting a new air filter and keeping your register grates free of dirt, we don’t suggest performing furnace maintenance without professional help. Your furnace is a complicated appliance that needs assistance from a heating and cooling professional. All our friendly Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling pros have passed in-depth education to better serve you. They’re also totally licensed and insured, offering you peace of mind that your heating system is in experienced hands.

Here are some of items we’ll perform on our maintenance visit:

  • Inspect crucial components of your furnace, such as the heat exchanger, blower and burner.
  • Clean the interior of your furnace, such as the flame sensor, burner and blower.
  • Check the flue to ensure it’s venting properly.
  • Test overall furnace system for safety and top heat.

Now is an excellent time to book your furnace maintenance appointment with Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Our pros are here to help you experience a worry-free winter with energy-efficient heat. Contact us at 804-302-6657 to request your appointment today, and be sure to browse our offers for special discounts on your next maintenance appointment.