How Important Is It to Get Your Heater Checked?

Cold weather has arrived, and it’s more important than ever to get your heater checked before you rely on your system to keep your home warm and cozy. Annual heating inspection ensure that your unit will be ready to work hard for you when you need it most. It also reduces the risk of expensive emergency repairs that could otherwise be avoided. The following covers several reasons why you should schedule your heater inspection now.

Extends the Longevity of Your Heater

Scheduling regular heating maintenance appointments gives technicians a chance to check for potential issues and correct them before they become major costly problems. The longer you wait to get your heater checked, the more likely you are to experience an unexpected malfunction.

In the long run, the costs of regular heating maintenance services are much lower than the costs of emergency repairs. Preventative maintenance ensures that all components of your heating system are working together to effectively heat your home for years to come.

Ensures Proper Airflow

Having your heater inspected by professionals can help to ensure proper airflow of the system. If your heater is strained by restricted airflow, it could lead to a shortened lifespan and the need for increased repairs. A heater that’s unable to properly distribute warm air throughout your home consumes much more energy, which could result in spiked energy bills.

Reduces Health Risks

Even small leaks, cracks, or obstructions within your heater can allow toxic substances like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and methane to back up inside your home. A colorless and odorless substance, carbon monoxide can cause serious injury or even death.

During an annual inspection, your HVAC technician will inspect your unit to make sure that everything is tightly sealed to reduce the risk of exposure to these potentially harmful substances. In addition to scheduling a heater inspection, you should also install a carbon monoxide detector to keep family members safe.

Increases Energy Efficiency

If you neglect to schedule your annual heating inspection, particles like dust and dirt can quickly accumulate within your heating system. This can force your unit to have to work harder than normal to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home, resulting in increased energy consumption.

Whenever you schedule an annual heating inspection, your technician will work hard to clean all of the moving parts within your heater. Your system will operate most efficiently when its parts are clean and there’s nothing preventing them from functioning correctly.

Reduces Costly Repairs

Many heating problems can easily be averted through regular heating maintenance. This is because maintenance includes thorough cleaning and inspection that can allow small problems to be addressed before they turn into an issue requiring major repairs. Keep in mind that your heater works overtime during the colder fall and winter months, which could result in premature system failure if an inspection isn’t completed on time.

Keeps Your Warranty Valid

Many heater manufacturers require homeowners to schedule regular maintenance services to keep their warranties valid. If you’ve neglected to have your system regularly inspected and you encounter a problem, the manufacturer may require you to produce proof of your maintenance records. If you can’t provide evidence that you’ve had your unit inspected annually, your warranty may not cover the costs of repairs. It’s much more cost-effective to pay for annual heating maintenance than to cover the costs of expensive repairs or a complete replacement out of your own pocket.

Saves Time

The last thing you want to deal with is a heating unit that fails to perform whenever temperatures plummet. Getting your system inspected prior to wintertime could spare you from much inconvenience. Besides, an annual heater inspection costs far less than emergency repairs.

Promotes Cleaner Air

During the annual heater maintenance service, your technician will replace or thoroughly clean your air filters. When your heater is working as it should, it’s designed to collect dust and dirt before particulates are able to circulate throughout your home. In fact, some of the biggest contributors to poor indoor air quality are clogged or dirty air filters.

Even though the technician will take care of cleaning or replacing your air filter, you should also make sure that you replace them on your own. Ideally, you should inspect your air filters every month and replace them at least once every three months.

Keeps Your Heater Working Properly

Over time, your heater’s internal parts can begin to wear down. During the frigid fall and winter months, nothing can be quite as frustrating as suffering through the cold while you’re waiting for expensive heater repairs. With an annual inspection, your technician will have a chance to identify worn parts and replace them before they cause significant damage.

Eliminates Rust and Dirt

During the inspection process, your HVAC technician will check for rust and dirt that may have accumulated inside your heater. Any type of buildup can potentially create pockets that trap gas, which could put your home at risk of fire. Even if your heater is relatively new, it’s still important to have your system inspected for rust and dirt.

When Should You Have Your Heater Checked?

Now that you’re more familiar with the numerous benefits of having your heater checked, you may be wondering when you should schedule an inspection appointment. A good rule of thumb is to have your heater inspected by a professional at least once a year, preferably in the fall before colder temperatures arrive.

A heater inspection will reveal problems with your unit that might cause it to fail or operate inefficiently. Identifying and correcting these issues before wintertime will ensure that your heater is working in top-notch condition when temperatures drop. You’ll also appreciate your lower energy bills as a result of your heater working at higher efficiency.

What Service Are Typically Included in a Heater Inspection?

When you schedule a heater inspection appointment, what the HVAC technician will look for will largely depend on the type of system you have and how old it is. However, most heater inspection services include:

• Thorough cleaning of the entire unit
• Inspecting the controls to ensure safety
• Inspecting electrical connections and wires
• Lubricating moving parts
• Testing for carbon monoxide leaks
• Making sure that the burner flame ignites properly
• Replacing air filters, if necessary
• Inspecting the unit for obstructions

Schedule Professional Heater Inspection Service

Much like your car, your heater needs to be serviced annually to keep it working in proper condition long-term. Regular inspections can reduce the likelihood of your system breaking down whenever you need it most. They can also increase your unit’s longevity and efficiency.

For reliable heater service in Murrieta or Orange, contact the friendly team at We Care Plumbing, Heating, & Air. Committed to fantastic customer service, we offer a timely heating replacement, repairs, maintenance, and tune-ups. Our team provides ductless mini-split services as well. For your convenience, our talented experts also specialize in comprehensive air conditioning, plumbing, and indoor air quality services.

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Categories: Heating