Even in Florida, the odds of your furnace developing problems is significantly higher during the winter than at other times. We’re going to go out on a limb and assume that you don’t want your furnace to lose efficiency, or break down, or explode (that last one is unlikely) in the middle of a cold winter day. In order to prevent that, there are a few steps you can take to keep your system functioning.
Schedule Preventive Maintenance
A lot of the problems that can really threaten the health and operation of a furnace develop slowly, over time. Some of them you can actually prevent yourself, if you know what you’re doing. Changing your furnace air filter every three months, for example, will prevent it from becoming clogged and causing problems in the future. However, most of the risk factors that contribute to furnace problems are things that you’re going to need a professional to solve for you. That means scheduling preventive maintenance.
A professional maintenance appointment gives your HVAC technician the chance to isolate and resolve any outstanding issues, as well as any potential problems that might become a bigger deal in the future. Consistent maintenance can reduce the furnace’s likelihood of developing issues by up to 90%, and increase energy efficiency by up to 40%. If you want to garner those benefits, though, you’re going to have to make sure that you schedule it every year. Ideally, you should be scheduling preventive maintenance for your furnace during the fall season. If you miss that opportunity, go ahead and have it done during winter. It’s better to have it looked at later on than to skip the service entirely.
Call for Repairs if You Have to
And by “have to” we mean if you are at all suspicious of something being wrong with your furnace. Most any problem that you’re likely to encounter with your furnace will get worse if you leave it alone. That means that it’s in your best interest to call for repairs as soon as you notice a problem, so that any potential damage can be mitigated as much as possible.
There are a few common symptoms that indicate that you have an issue with your furnace. Any odd noises coming from your system should be professionally checked immediately. What the problem is, and how bad it is, will depend on the sounds you’re hearing. For example, a grinding noise might mean that your air handler needs to have the bearings in the system replaced.
Short cycling, which is when the system turns itself on and off every few minutes, is another serious problem that accelerates the rate at which the furnace wears down. If this is not fixed, it could shorten the lifespan of your system by a number of years.
Climate Masters provides furnace repair and maintenance services in St. Augustine, FL. If you need help with your furnace, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We will help ensure that your home stays warm and comfortable throughout the year.
