As an HVAC business, we often encounter customers questioning the value in scheduling routine maintenance. It is not uncommon for people to assume that once the system has been purchased, it no longer needs regular attention. However, this is not the case. For a piece of equipment to maintain its reliability as long as many furnaces and air conditioners do, it’s vital to make sure it is cleaned regularly and calibrated to ensure it’s running at its highest ability. This is especially important in a state like Wisconsin, where extreme weather appears frequently and suddenly. We want to bring to your attention the various reasons regular maintenance will benefit you and your home in the long run.

Safety

In order to heat your home, a furnace burns fuel. This combustion process is actually very complex; and even minor complications could lead to a severe lack of safety in your home. Part of regular maintenance involves checking for any type of leaks, or parts that have potential for failure, leading to possible carbon monoxide poisoning/exposure to gas leaks. Breathing in any of these fumes can lead to respiratory issues, irritation, and in severe scenarios can be fatal. Routine maintenance with a qualified technician ensures that even the seemingly smallest of issues are not overlooked and putting your health at risk.

Air Quality

As your furnace continuously runs, it can become clogged with dirt, dust, and other pollutants. This is especially true if you have several pets in the home. As part of regular maintenance, a technician will replace your air filter and clean the equipment overall, allowing for the air flow to be greatly improved and your furnace filter to absorb as many harmful particles in the air as possible.

Increased Energy Efficiency

A properly cleaned and maintained system runs as it should, allowing for less energy usage and increased efficiency. According to energy.gov, heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in your home — typically making up about 30% of your utility bill. It can only benefit you long term to keep this energy usage as low as possible. The less your equipment must work to heat (or cool) your home, the more money you save AND the longer your equipment lasts.

Keeping your Equipment Warrantied

Most HVAC manufacturers require some form of regular maintenance for the warranty to remain valid on your equipment. This is probably the most common thing customers are not aware of in regards to their HVAC system, but these manufacturers often enforce it for the same reasons listed above. Routine maintenance is key to ensuring worry-free warranty claims. Manufacturers’ warranties are great, but they’re often only effective when the homeowner maintains the equipment and can back it up with service records.