(NC)-The old adage "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" should not apply when it comes to your household heating system. Like a car, your furnace is a running machine that needs regular tune-ups to ensure its efficiency and longevity. You wouldn't wait more than a year to give your car an oil change, so don't wait until your furnace breaks down to call for service.
A clean, well-adjusted heating system will save you money on fuel and will prolong furnace life. The cost of annual servicing is modest, especially when compared with the price of a new furnace.
There is some maintenance that homeowners can undertake themselves, such as the cleaning and replacing of filters. To ensure safe and efficient operation of a heating system, however, homeowners should have their furnace inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified service technician.
Homeowners searching for a qualified heating contractor in their area can access a user-friendly website - www.hrai.ca or toll-free at 1-877-467-HRAI. This site lists contractor members of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada (HRAC), a national trade association. Inspections performed by a licensed technician will include the following:
• Safety test for carbon monoxide (CO)
• Check for hazardous debris in the chimney and flue
• Clean air filters and re-install
• Check operation of thermostat and safety controls
• Check gas pilot safety system and clean as required
• Clean motor and fan
• Check blower operation
• Check condition, tension and alignment of fan belt, and perform required adjustments
• Clean burners and set for proper combustion & ignition
• Check gas piping to furnace.
Investing in the proper maintenance of a home heating system is essential to ensure that it provides reliable and efficient indoor comfort when the outdoor temperature drops.
Credit: www.newscanada.com