How Often Should You Have Your Furnace Serviced?

As a homeowner, you may wonder, "How often should you have your furnace serviced for the most efficient system?" Typically, furnaces should undergo an annual inspection by a licensed and experienced professional. 

That said, depending on various factors, your unit may require more or less frequent repairs. Some of these factors, like the weather, the age of your furnace, and the level of maintenance care you provide, all affect your furnace's lifespan.

Continue reading to explore more information on how often you should have your furnace serviced, signs to look out for, common furnace problems, and more. This way, you're well informed about when to call on professional HVAC contractors in Vero Beach.

Opt for Annual Inspections

Yearly inspections are the best way to keep your heating and air conditioning system running optimally. You'll want these inspections completed by a trained, professional HVAC team to guarantee your safety and handle all preventable issues. 

Typically, HVAC professionals recommend that you schedule furnace inspections during the fall. This is a good rule of thumb to guarantee reliable heat throughout the winter, giving you peace of mind that your furnace will work appropriately to heat your home. 

Signs Your Furnace Needs Attention

If you have never made a habit of scheduling annual maintenance in the fall, you may wonder what you should look out for when considering the need for HVAC repairs. The following is a brief list of signs that you should call in a professional:

• Loud banging or other strange noises from your HVAC unit
• Poor or inconsistent airflow in your venting system
• The indoor temperature does not match the thermostat temperature
• Any odor of natural gas
• Unusually high utility bills
• Unit is short cycling and cannot adequately complete a cooling or heating cycle
• Noticeable leaks around the indoor or outdoor unit

Any of these signs indicate you need professional HVAC servicing as soon as possible to get to the bottom of the issues you're experiencing with your unit. 

Common Reasons for Furnace Servicing

One of the most common reasons homeowners decide to get annual servicing is to maintain their furnaces. Issues requiring troubleshooting from a professional technician include a noisy furnace, a malfunctioning pilot light, clogged air filters, or problems with the furnace cycling. These warrant a technician who can thoroughly inspect your furnace and repair the issue.

Problems You May Encounter If You Neglect Servicing 

Now that you know the answer to the question, "How often should you have your furnace serviced?" you might wonder what issues may arise after years of not scheduling proper maintenance. While there is no one-size-fits-all concern to look out for, there are ways that neglecting maintenance can negatively affect your furnace in the long run. 

Issues you may encounter if you avoid annual furnace service include but are not limited to the following:

• Poor energy efficiency, leading to high utility bills
• Excessive wear and tear, leading to a shorter overall unit lifespan 
• Dangerous leaks from natural gas and other potentially deadly byproducts like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide
• Inconsistent heating and cooling due to dirty coils, a dirty air filter, or cracked furnace components 

What Does Servicing Include and Cost?

When asking, "How often should you have your furnace serviced?" you may be worried about the process and how much it costs. When signing up for furnace inspections and annual furnace servicing from professional HVAC technicians, you can expect a high level of detail. These inspections help uncover any underlying issues with your furnace before they cause hazardous problems. 

Spotting these dangerous spots that require maintenance before they worsen is the key to maintaining a healthy furnace system and a safe home for you and your loved ones. 

Inspections

Typically, annual servicing includes inspecting the flame sensors, pilot light, safety switches, blowers, wiring, heat exchanger, venting system, blower fans, air filters, evaporator coils, and thermostats and checking gas pressure. With all of these industry-specific inspections, it's easy to see why opting for inspection from professionals is the logical choice. 

Cost 

While you may feel tempted to inspect your furnace on your own to save yourself some cash, homeowners should note that they most likely do not have the proper tools or equipment to complete these inspections correctly or safely. 

An annual furnace servicing inspection costs from $150 to $400. However, you should note that these costs can vary depending on your furnace's condition. Expect to pay less for an inspection alone, while an inspection tune-up and cleaning will cost more but may lead to a healthier HVAC system, benefiting you in the long run.

Since furnaces contain toxic byproducts like gas and carbon monoxide, it's best to leave inspections to a trained and knowledgeable HVAC technician who can complete the inspections, note the issues, get to the bottom of any problems, and complete the necessary repairs for a seamless experience. Otherwise, you risk putting your entire family at risk.

Benefits of Annual Furnace Servicing

If you opt for annual furnace inspections, you can rest easy knowing your system is functioning correctly and keeping your home safe and comfortable.

Other noteworthy benefits to keeping up with preventive care include increased lifespan of the furnace, less money spent on utility bills, increased energy efficiency, and catching minor concerns to prevent more expensive issues before they arise. 

Choose Local Heating and Cooling Experts

At the end of the day, furnaces are mechanical appliances needing occasional repairs and regular furnace maintenance. You're never fully prepared for when specific mechanisms of your furnace break, like the failure of a furnace ignitor, or the unit stops working. That's why you need a reliable team of HVAC experts like Bates Air & Heat LLC to call when HVAC troubles arise.

At Bates Air & Heat LLC, you can expect thorough inspections, repairs, and emergency services. This way, you can stop wondering, "How often should you have your furnace serviced?" and call the expert team of HVAC professionals at Bates Air & Heat LLC for your annual inspection at (772) 837-5854 today!