SEPTEMBER 2018
Are You Listening to Your Furnace?
Summer is all but over. Temperatures are lowering and the days are getting shorter. It’s a season of change, and that means it’s time to start thinking about your heating system: furnaces, boilers, and other types of heaters. For many folks, their heating systems have been off for several months. On the first day you need it, you don’t want to turn on your furnace only to learn it’s not working correctly — or not at all! Every company that manufactures furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, and just about every kind of gas appliance recommends you have those appliances inspected on an annual basis. It’s good advice, and it helps you get the most out of these appliances year after year. An annual inspection ensures that each appliance is working correctly. Plus, our technicians can identify issues you may run into in the future. For instance, your furnace may work when you fire it up for the first time this fall, but certain components may be wearing out or damaged due to normal wear and tear. One of the biggest factors that can cause a furnace (or any other HVAC appliance) to fail is simply age. We use these appliances on a semi-regular basis, and over time components degrade, especially any moving parts like fan belts and motors. Regular inspections and maintenance will increase the life of your heating system, ensuring these components last longer. Other sources of trouble can include the pilot light (for gas furnaces) or igniter (for electric furnaces). When the ignition system isn’t working properly,
the furnace won’t be able to generate heat. The fan may be pushing air through your home, but without ignition, you’ll be left with little more than a cool breeze. And speaking of fans, the blower motor is another component that can fail. The igniter may be working perfectly, and the furnace may be able to generate heat, but without the blower motor, that heat isn’t going anywhere. There are many components on the motor itself that may need to be replaced, such as a belt or bearings, depending on the model. A good way to tell something is wrong is simply by listening to your HVAC system. If something sounds out of the ordinary, chances are it isn’t working correctly. And if you notice your electricity or heating bill has gone up by an unusual amount, that’s another sign that something may be wrong.
“Every company that manufactures furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, and just about every kind of gas appliance recommends you have those appliances inspected on an annual basis.”
Just like we remind you to have your air conditioner inspected and
serviced ahead of peak usage season, it’s always a good idea to get your heating system inspected before the rush. Every year, as the temperature drops, the number of calls we get for heating inspections and service goes up. Don’t wait — call before the rush so you’re not left in the cold. As always, we’re standing by the phone, ready to take your call 24/7, no matter what you need when it comes to plumbing, drainage, air conditioning, water filtration, and of course, heating!
1 604-532-9625 •
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