Your family depends on your home’s heating system for warmth and comfort during the fall and winter months. Many homeowners mistakenly think that if their furnace is cycling on and off like normal, and if their homes still feel toasty, then they don’t need to schedule routine annual maintenance. However, an annual checkup is recommended! It’s important to get this vital appliance cleaned and thoroughly inspected each year to keep it running safely and efficiently all season long.

You may be asking yourself, “If I decide not to schedule furnace maintenance this year, what’s the worst that could happen?” Well, let’s go over a list of some of the things that could go wrong.

Dangerous heater operating in unsafe conditions

A gas leak can create a very hazardous situation. The skilled and experienced technician sent to your home for a maintenance appointment will carefully inspect vital working components in your heating system. If your system operates using natural gas, the tech will be able to pinpoint any areas where natural gas or carbon monoxide (CO) gas may be leaking. Both types of leaks can be extremely dangerous and could even prove to be fatal if left untreated.

If your furnace operates on electricity, the technician will verify that the wiring isn’t frayed or damaged in a way which could ultimately lead to a fire. If damaged wiring is found, it will need to be repaired or replaced before your family begins depending on the furnace more heavily as the temperatures drop this fall and winter.

Inefficient furnace

If you decide not to schedule a tune-up this year, you run the risk of having the system run inefficiently all season. There could be parts that are full of dust and dirt, or are otherwise worn out and in need of repair or replacement. These issues could ultimately cause your system to work harder than it needs to, causing premature wear and tear and potentially increasing your energy bills.

If this happens, you will be stuck in a cold home while trying to locate a heating repair provider who can diagnose and treat the problem. This may be easier said than done, especially if your furnace breaks down in the dead of winter when many service providers’ schedules are completely booked.

Poor indoor air quality

When you choose not to schedule routine yearly maintenance for your furnace, dirty air passing through the system could lead to poor indoor air quality. This can be dangerous if you have anyone in your family who suffers from respiratory issues, such as asthma.

Along with yearly maintenance by a trained and experienced technician, you need to do some upkeep on your own to keep your furnace operating as well as it can. This includes replacing the air filter at least once a month so that it’s clean and air can easily pass through. You may need to change the filter more often if you have pets, or individuals in your home who smoke, as these situations could cause the filter to get dirty more quickly than usual.

A clogged air filter could cause your heating system to work overtime to circulate air through your home, as it must push harder to get air through the dirt- and dust-filled filter. This could lead to premature wear and tear on your unit, and an untimely and expensive breakdown.

Need help with furnace maintenance?

At Oncourse Home Solutions, we offer an affordable Heating Maintenance Plan. When you are enrolled in the plan, you are entitled to an annual heating system maintenance appointment with a professional, experienced service technician. To see the plan(s) available in your area, enter your ZIP code in the box in the upper right corner of the page. Still have questions? You can click the Click to Chat tab on the right side of the page to get answers from one of our knowledgeable customer service representatives.