Furnace Maintenance | 1-800-Plumber +Air of Portland | 1-800-PLUMBER +AIR
We usually don't think about our furnace until the cold months come and then we need it to turn on. But did you know that having it regularly serviced is the best way to make sure it runs for up to 15-30 years and always kicks on the right way when you need it? Preventative service is cheaper in the long run because it can help you avoid costly fixes, especially if you can make your furnace last up to 30 years because of it. Read on below to know what usually goes wrong with a furnace, how to fix it, and how to make it last longer.
You should have your furnace checked out once a year, typically right before the colder months start. This will allow a licensed technician to take a look at the important parts, like the pilot light, the heat exchanger, and the filters, to make sure everything is working the right way and it's all safe for your home and your family. Your furnace can last all the way up to 30 years if it's regularly serviced, cleaned and taken care of. And who wouldn't want to save that money?
We've seen it all when it comes to issues with a furnace. The most common issues though, are dirty air filters, faulty pilot lights, and cracked heat exchangers. All of these can be fixed, but some are more costly than others.
You can clean a dirty air filter by yourself fairly easily, but if you aren't sure where it is or how to do it, you can always call your local technician to give you a hand with it. A dirty or clogged air filter can cause issues because it will make your furnace run too hard and it won't work as well to heat your house. This means it'll run for longer periods of time, making your electricity bills higher, and making your furnace last for far fewer years than it should. A clogged filter means you'll need to replace your whole furnace sooner rather than later, so make sure you get it taken care of to get the most out of your furnace for years to come!
Your pilot light should be a bright blue flame, but if it isn't working, or you're seeing a yellow flame, you might be having a problem with carbon monoxide coming into the house. If this is the case, you'll need to call a licensed technician immediately to come check it out. Carbon monoxide in the house can be a deadly situation because it is fatal when inhaled. To keep your house and your family safe, call a technician right away if you're having issues with your pilot light.
It's important to take care of a cracked heat exchanger immediately. The heat exchanger is the piece of the furnace that separates the flames from the air, making sure your house doesn't catch on fire. Though this is a costly fix, it's important to replace it immediately to make sure your family and your house stay safe. Always get a licensed professional to fix this for you, as they will know the proper codes to follow to make sure it's safely installed.
If you've got a serious problem with your furnace, it's best to repair it to keep it safe. Not only safe, but it'll also save you money in the long run if you have a furnace running properly and efficiently. You can really cut down on your electricity bills with a good running furnace. Sometimes even replacing the furnace is a great option if a newer model has come out that's more cost effective than your old one, but that's completely up to you.
We recommend you don't repair your furnace on your own. Little things, like changing the air filter, are fine to do on your own. But if you try to install a furnace on your own, or fix something major like the heat exchanger, it could void your warranty on the furnace, or it could cause safety issues within your home, and you don't want either. A furnace is best left to the professionals who know the codes and policies to follow when it comes to repairing and replacing your furnace.
Keeping your furnace up and running doesn't have to be an issue! We are available 24/7 to take care of any emergencies or to schedule yearly maintenance for your furnace. Remember, yearly maintenance is the best way to keep your furnace healthy for up to 30 years! Let us help you! We've seen it all so we know how to handle it all.