With all the responsibilities of maintaining a home, many homeowners often wonder whether inspections are as important as the experts say. One such example is an Annual Furnace Exam. While you may have heard the term and your HVAC contractor may have talked about how you should schedule one, you may not be aware of just how important it is for your heating system. In fact, furnace maintenance should be considered vital, and here we will explain why it is so important.
Impact on Occupant Health:
Many of us consider our heating system to be essential for our comfort and wellbeing. Afterall, trying to manage even one winter day without heating can be an unpleasant experience. What you may not be aware of is that good furnace health can also have an impact on the health of you and your family. During the heating process, when warm air is circulated into your home, it is possible for airborne particles to be spread throughout the home. These particles can have a number of health effects, from triggering allergies to more serious issues such as causing respiratory diseases. These invisible particles can be easily inhaled, leading to sickness. Fortunately, part of the annual furnace exam involves cleaning and unclogging the exhaust pipes and filters of your furnace system. This ensures that dirt is not accumulating inside the system, ready to be spread throughout your home.
Improved Performance:
While many homeowners are concerned about energy efficiency, efficiency is not only focused on saving energy it is also important for optimum performance. During an annual exam, your furnace will be inspected to ensure that any potential faults are detected before they can trigger a breakdown issue or cause a loss of energy efficiency. This type of preventative maintenance will ensure optimum performance, so you can enjoy your ideal comfort level without wasting energy.
Improved Furnace Lifespan:
In addition to improving performance, an annual exam will also contribute to a longer lifespan for your furnace. When your furnace is operating correctly at optimum performance levels, you can avoid the system being placed under excessive strain. Additionally, by correcting minor issues before they can develop into major faults, you can minimize the risk of cascade failures which would compromise the lifespan of your furnace.
Enhanced Safety:
Furnace faults can have serious consequences for your home and your personal safety. For example, should your furnace develop a leak, odorless and colorless carbon monoxide could escape into your home. This is extremely dangerous and without immediate medical attention, you could be at risk of a fatal accident. Carbon monoxide poisoning is particularly dangerous when a leak remains undetected while you are sleeping since you would be exposed for a prolonged period. Other safety risks of a neglected furnace include an increased chance of a house fire.
So, if you want to ensure that your furnace is operating safely at peak efficiency, you should consider an annual furnace exam. This regular maintenance is best scheduled at the end of summer before the colder weather starts to arrive. Professional HVAC specialists will be able to perform your furnace exam to ensure that your heating system is ready for the cold winter temperatures.