Many people don’t realize that their furnace runs as much as 3,000 hours per year. To put this in perspective, a car driven for the same 3,000 hours at 60 miles per hour would travel 180,000 miles in a year! You wouldn’t drive your car 180,000 miles without a tune-up; and you shouldn’t do it to your comfort system either. A little preventative maintenance can help to reduce utility costs now, and may prevent more costly repairs later.
A study conducted by the National Comfort Institute (NCI) found that: Adjusting combustion efficiency increased performance by as much as 12%; Changing filters increased performance by an average of 7%; Cleaning coils and burners added 10% to system performance; Adjusting fan speed added 6% to system efficiency. All told, these adjustments can generate up to a 29% increase in system performance.
Making recommended repairs during this visit can also save you money in the long-run by avoiding emergency calls and precious time lost from work due to additional repair visits.
There are simple things you can do on your own as well: Cleaning or replacing your furnace filter every 1-3 months will ensure you are getting the best possible performance and efficiency from your system. You should also ensure that the area around the front of your furnace (and around the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump if you have one) is kept clear. This will provide adequate airflow for combustion in the furnace and keep the unit running at peak efficiency between servicing.
If you have not serviced your furnace in a while, it’s not too late. Having your comfort system checked now will ensure it runs safely and efficiently through this heating season. It may also help you reduce energy use and avoid more costly repairs later.
