The Ultimate Guide to Furnace Maintenance for Homeowners

With Calgary’s long, chilly winters, ensuring your furnace is in top shape is essential for keeping your home warm and energy costs low. Regular furnace maintenance can help prevent breakdowns, increase efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your equipment. Here’s a quick guide to furnace maintenance for homeowners.

In this guide to furnace maintenance, we’ll explore everything you need to know to keep your furnace running efficiently for years to come.

Why Furnace Maintenance is Essential

Furnace maintenance should be a priority, especially during the colder months. Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can build up in your furnace. This can cause inefficiency, higher energy costs, and even system failures. Regular maintenance keeps the system clean, helps it run at its best and prevents dangers like carbon monoxide leaks, thus having a furnace maintenance plan is very important.

Key Furnace Maintenance Tasks Every Homeowner Should Know

1. Change the Air Filter Regularly
One of the simplest yet most effective furnace maintenance tasks is changing the air filter. A clogged filter restricts airflow, causing your furnace to work harder and potentially damaging internal components. Depending on usage, you should replace air filters every 1-3 months.

2. Clean the Vents and Ducts
Dust and debris can accumulate in your vents and ducts, affecting airflow and reducing heating efficiency. Cleaning ducts improves air quality and ensures your furnace operates smoothly. You can clean the vent openings yourself, but you might need a professional for deeper ducts.

3. Check the Thermostat
Ensure that your thermostat is calibrated properly and functioning as expected. A faulty thermostat can result in your furnace running inefficiently, leading to temperature inconsistencies and higher energy bills.

4. Inspect the Furnace Pilot Light and Ignition System
If your furnace has a pilot light, check to make sure it’s blue and steady. A yellow or flickering light could indicate issues with your furnace that require professional attention. For modern furnaces with electronic ignition, check for signs of malfunction.

5. Lubricate Moving Parts
Furnaces have several moving parts like the blower motor and fan. Lubricating these parts reduces friction, prevents wear and tear, and helps your system operate quietly and efficiently.

6. Examine the Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is responsible for transferring heat to the air circulating through your home. A cracked heat exchanger can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. This task is best left to a licensed technician during routine furnace inspections.

Schedule a Professional Furnace Inspection

DIY maintenance can help, but an annual inspection by a qualified HVAC technician is essential. A technician can inspect critical components, clean the blower and burners, test the ignition system, and ensure there are no gas or carbon monoxide leaks. They can also identify and address minor issues before they become costly repairs.

If your furnace is due for its annual maintenance, don’t hesitate to get your furnace tune up quote from trusted experts like JPS Furnace and Air Conditioning. Our 21-point furnace tune up service helps you get the most out of your furnace all year round.

Furnace Maintenance Cost

In Calgary and environs, the standard furnace maintenance cost usually ranges from $100 to $400. This covers inspection, cleaning, and minor tune-ups to keep your furnace running efficiently, but cost is however dependent on furnace type and age of furnace. This small investment can save you money by preventing costly repairs or even emergency breakdowns during winter.

When to Replace Your Furnace

Most furnaces last about 15-20 years with proper maintenance. However, if you’re experiencing frequent repairs, higher energy bills, or inconsistent heating, it may be time to consider a replacement. Newer models are significantly more energy-efficient and can save you money in the long run. If you’re unsure whether you need a repair or a full replacement, JPS Furnace and Air Conditioning can guide you in making the best decision for your home, whether you need a quick fix or a more permanent solution, we’ve got you covered.

Conclusion

Routine furnace maintenance is a small investment that can yield big savings in energy costs, repairs, and system longevity. For Calgary homeowners, a little preventative care can make all the difference during the cold winter months. Consider scheduling an annual furnace check-up to keep your home warm, safe, and efficient all winter long.