Don’t Get Left in the Cold: Why Your Fall To-Do List Should include a Furnace Check-Up
The days are getting shorter, there’s a crispness in the morning air, and pumpkin spice is everywhere. Autumn in western NY is beautiful, but it’s also a clear signal that summer is ending and colder temperatures are just around the corner. Before you break out the heavy coats, there’s one item that should be at the top of your to-do list: making sure your heating system is ready for winter with a furnace check-up.
Imagine This: It’s 20°F Outside… and Your Furnace is Silent.
Imagine not getting a Late for a furnace check-up. It’s the first truly frigid night of the year. You wake up shivering, see your breath in the air, and realize the house is ice-cold. Your furnace has quit. Not only is your family miserably cold, but you’re now facing the risk of frozen pipes, which can lead to catastrophic water damage. You’re scrambling to find an emergency technician on a day when they are swamped with calls from everyone else whose heat also failed.
This nightmare scenario is stressful, expensive, and almost always preventable. Scheduling a pre-season maintenance check with an expert from Excellent Air Heating and Cooling is the smartest, most cost-effective way to ensure you have reliable heat when you need it most. 🥶
What a Professional Furnace Check-up Involves
An annual inspection from Excellent Air isn’t just a quick look-over. Our certified technicians perform a comprehensive tune-up tailored to your specific heating system to ensure it runs safely and efficiently all winter long. Here’s what our maintenance checks typically cover for the different systems we service:
Gas Furnaces
The most common heating system in our area requires a detailed safety and performance check.
- Safety First: We thoroughly inspect the heat exchanger for any cracks or deterioration. A compromised heat exchanger can leak dangerous carbon monoxide gas into your home.
- Clean & Calibrate: We clean the burners and flame sensor to ensure a clean, efficient burn and reliable ignition.
- Check Airflow: We inspect and clean the blower motor and check your filter to make sure warm air can circulate freely through your home.
- Test Controls: Every safety and operational control is tested to ensure it functions exactly as the manufacturer intended.
Heat Pumps
These all-in-one systems work hard year-round and need a seasonal check-up to switch from cooling to heating.
- Reversing Valve Test: We ensure the component that switches the unit from AC to heat mode is working correctly.
- Coil Cleaning: We inspect and clean both the indoor and outdoor coils. Dirty coils drastically reduce efficiency and strain the system.
- Refrigerant Check: We verify the refrigerant charge is at the optimal level for efficient heating.
- Electrical Inspection: All electrical connections are tightened and inspected to prevent system failure.
Boilers
For homes with hydronic (hot water) heat, boiler maintenance is key to consistent warmth.
- Leak Inspection: We check all pipes, valves, and radiators for any drips or signs of corrosion that could lead to water damage.
- Pressure Check: We inspect the expansion tank and test the system’s pressure relief valve to ensure safe operation.
- Clean Burners: Just like a furnace, we clean and inspect the burners for efficient operation.
The Benefits are Clear: Safety, Savings, and Peace of Mind
Investing in an annual tune-up from Excellent Air Heating and Cooling is more than just a chore; it’s a proactive step that provides real benefits:
- Improved Safety: Protect your family from the risks of carbon monoxide.
- Lower Energy Bills: A clean, efficient system uses less fuel to heat your home, saving you money every month. 💸
- Enhanced Reliability: We can spot and fix small issues before they turn into major, middle-of-the-night breakdowns.
- Longer Equipment Life: Regular maintenance is proven to extend the lifespan of your heating system, protecting your investment.
Don’t wait for the first frost to think about your heat. Be proactive and ensure your home is a warm, safe, and comfortable sanctuary this winter. Call Excellent Air Heating and Cooling to schedule your heating system maintenance today!
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