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How often are you servicing your furnace? Regular furnace maintenance is essential to your system’s safety, performance and lifespan. An annual inspection by a qualified HVAC technician should be part of your home maintenance checklist. Here’s why:

Prevent breakdowns and furnace replacements.

An experienced HVAC company can perform a multi-point inspection on your furnace, ducts and heating system. They will check for leaks, damaged or worn parts and other issues that can impact performance. Finding these minor issues early can prevent expensive breakdowns or save you from having to replace the furnace altogether. Ìý

Scheduling your furnace service in the fall helps prepare your home for winter. Then, you can rest easy knowing your furnace will keep you cozy and warm during the cold months ahead. Plus, regular maintenance will extend the lifespan of your furnace.

Keep your home and family safe.

As a natural gas appliance, your furnace should be inspected at least once a year to ensure it’s operating safely. A furnace inspection will check the furnace and connecting gas lines to ensure no leaks. Plus, they’ll ensure your furnace isn’t at risk of carbon monoxide leaks. These checks are vital to the safety of your family.

Improve energy efficiency.

With fluctuating market energy rates, ensuring your HVAC system runs efficiently can really help you save energy. A furnace inspection will find any issues with your furnace that might impact its performance. Fine-tuning will ensure it runs at peak efficiency without adding unnecessary strain to the system. It will also help lower your energy costs this winter.

DIY furnace maintenance: change your air filter!

Next to booking annual furnace maintenance with a professional, regularly changing your air filter is the best thing you can do for your heating system.

Why change the air filter?

A dirty and clogged air filter reduces airflow, increases strain on your HVAC system and decreases energy efficiency. Because your furnace works harder to heat your home, parts can wear out faster. Plus, it’s using up much more energy than it should, which means you end up paying more for heating than you should! Changing that filter can boost performance, lower bills and extend your system’s lifespan.

Plus, air filters help filter out dust and debris and prevent it from blowing around your home. Dirty filters can reduce indoor air quality, which can be a big problem for people with allergies, asthma and other illnesses.

How often should you change your furnace filter?

Check your furnace manufacturer’s instructions. Most suggest you change the filter every three to six months. However, if you have pets or smoke in the home, you might want to change it more often. You can check your filter monthly to ensure it’s not too dirty or clogged with debris. If it is, give it a swap with a fresh filter.

Some homeowners change their furnace filters every spring, regardless of when they last changed them. The furnace works non-stop all winter, and the filter can get dirtier faster than in the summer.

How to change a furnace air filter?

Changing the filter is easy. Open the access panel and remove the old filter. Then, note the filter size and type and buy a new one at any hardware or building supply store. When installing the new filter, look for the little arrows showing which direction it should go. It will also show which side should face the air intake duct. Then, slide it in and close the access panel.