Why Schedule Annual Heating Maintenance?
Heaters work hard during the cooler months to keep homes warm. Most of the time, they generate massive amounts of heat and distribute it throughout the home. The stopping and starting, along with thermal stress, greatly wear down the machinery.
After a few years in service, the process can cause energy efficiency losses, more mechanical problems, and a shorter lifespan. Luckily, there is an easy way to protect the heater: heating maintenance.
Heating maintenance is a simple process that homeowners can pay for to help protect their heaters. Here is a quick guide to its benefits.
Increase Energy Efficiency
Every furnace produced has an associated energy rating. This rating is based on the maximum efficiency it can provide upon installation. As the furnace ages, it will lose efficiency and become more expensive. On average, a furnace is expected to lose 1% efficiency yearly after the first five years in service. As a furnace nears the end of its lifespan, it may be operating at 15% less efficiency than it began with, making monthly bills correspondingly higher.
Heater maintenance is the best way to delay this process. During heater maintenance, technicians will perform tasks that help protect the heater's efficiency. This may include things like:
- Checking refrigerant levels
- Cleaning the burner
- Changing air filters
- Cleaning blower wheels
- Verifying gas pressure
These steps help preserve the heater's efficiency, making heater maintenance a smart investment for the homeowner.
Fewer Repairs and Better Reliability
The best time to schedule heater maintenance is in the fall. This allows technicians to take preemptive action if they find potential problems. Instead of losing heat due to the loss of a heater during the winter, the owner can have peace of mind that their heater is prepared to handle the work. That being said, the second best time to schedule heater maintenance is as soon as owners remember. Neglecting this important service can be the difference between a warm and cozy winter and a cold, stressful season.
The main benefit of fall heater maintenance is improved reliability, which means homeowners don’t have to deal with problems. Better reliability also means lower bills. Instead of calling an expert at odd hours to get the heat back on, homeowners will have their problems preemptively handled, saving them money in the long run.
Longer Lifespan
The biggest cost associated with heaters is replacing old equipment. Even though this expense occurs only once every 20 years, doing it more often than necessary is a waste. When heater maintenance is neglected, owners miss performance benefits and spend far more on replacement than needed. Instead of replacing heating equipment every 15 years, a well-maintained heater may last as long as 25 years with few problems and excellent efficiency.
About Master Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Master Plumbing, Heating & Cooling specializes in keeping heaters running problem-free and efficiently. With an excellent maintenance program and the Green Club, owners can enjoy all of the inspections and maintenance their plumbing and HVAC systems need. Call today for heating maintenance services in Cedar Rapids, IA.
