Steps To Avoid Furnace Repairs And Breakdowns
Your furnace is one of the most important appliances in your home, especially during the winter. It’s what keeps you comfortable, and impacts your energy bills for about half of the year. The last thing you want is your furnace to break down on a cold Illinios day.
I’ve been working with heating systems, particularly furnaces and heat pumps, for over 20 years, and have seen them in all sorts of conditions. A furnace repair call is very common, and in some cases, could have been avoidable. In this article, I’ll tell you what you can do to avoid furnace repairs being needed.
If you are having issues with your furnace, give us a call at (630) 504-8688, or contact us online. The technicians here at Compass are trained and certified to handle any sort of furnace issue. We can repair your furnace, or let you know if it has to be replaced!
Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance
The best way to keep your furnace running smoothly is to schedule annual maintenance with a certified HVAC technician, like the ones here at Compass Heating and Air. Annual furnace service will help you get ahead of any issues, and keep your system running efficiently. During the maintenance visit, a technician will inspect your furnace, clean the internal components, and make sure everything is running safely and properly.
Whenever you are using a furnace that burns gas or oil, there are potential safety hazards, such as gas leaks or electrical issues, that could put your home at risk. This is a reason that we encourage heating service before the winter starts. Your HVAC service technician will ensure your heating system is running safely before you have to turn it on for the season.
Benefits of annual furnace maintenance include:
- Longer lifespan for your furnace
- Improved energy efficiency
- Reduced likelihood of sudden breakdowns
- Increased safety
- Cleaner indoor air
Just like you take your car in for an oil change and inspection, heating service is going to make sure your furnace is working properly, is running safely, and lasts for years to come. Some people may think of it as an “extra cost”, but the truth is, it’s saving you money in the long run. Less breakdowns, fewer repairs needed, lower energy bills, and an extended lifespan are going to go a long way to saving you money!
We also recommend that you check out a service plan. This is going to help you save on costs of repairs, service, and ensure your system is taken care of yearly.
Change Your Air Filters
A simple and easy way to take care of your heating system is by changing your air filter. You should change our air filter every few months. This can be done by a professional during service, but it’s really something you should do on your own as well.
Air filters trap dust, debris, and allergens, preventing them from circulating in your home and clogging your furnace. Over time, the filters get clogged, restricting airflow and forcing your furnace to work harder than necessary. This can lead to poor airflow, poor air quality, and potentially bigger problems with your HVAC system.
How often you need to change your filters depends on factors like the type of filter, whether you have pets, and if anyone in the home has allergies. We recommend that you check on your filter monthly and replace it every 1–3 months, depending on its condition.
Benefits of regular filter changes include:
- Improved airflow
- Better indoor air quality
- Less dirt and debris in your furnace
- Lower energy bills due to reduced strain on the furnace
We have seen some air filters that are horror stories, that are clogged and caked over with dirt. This is an easy task to accomplish, but it’s also an easy task to forget. We recommend buying a few filters at a time, that way you don’t have to go to the store every few months, and it’s also a reminder to change them.
Make Sure Ducts And Vents Aren’t Blocked
This is another easy task, but one that sometimes people forget. Clearing furniture away from your vents will allow the air to flow easily. Blocked vents can prevent warm air from circulating properly, causing your furnace to work overtime to heat your home. This can also cause uneven heating, and back the air to your furnace up, causing it to shut down.
Go to each room of your home and make sure that the vents are clear. It can be fun to rearrange a bedroom, but if you have desk or bureau blocking a vent, it’s going to cause problems for your furnace!
Here’s what we recommend:
- Clear any furniture or other objects that may be blocking vents
- Regularly dust and vacuum around vents to remove buildup
- Consider having your ducts professionally cleaned every few years, especially if you notice dust accumulation or uneven heating.
Resetting Your Furnace
Sometimes, furnaces can encounter minor issues that don’t necessarily require a technician’s visit. If your furnace is not working correctly or has completely shut off, it might simply need a reset. If you don’t know how to reset your furnace, here are a few instructions below. You can also look at your user manual, go on youtube and watch an instructional video, or have your HVAC technician show you on their next visit.
Steps to reset your furnace:
- Turn off the power to the furnace. Most furnaces have a power switch located near the unit. If you can turn the gas off, do that as well.
- Press the reset button
- Turn the gas and power back on and then set your thermostat to the desired temperature.
If your furnace isn’t working after the reset, we recommend calling a professional. There is probably a more serious issue with your system. If the system kicks back on and there are no issues, you should be good to go!
Average Cost Of Furnace Repairs
Even with regular service and preventative measures, furnace repairs can sometimes be unavoidable.Not every furnace repair is going to cost the same, but you should know that they can get expensive. Here’s a quick outlook of the average costs of a furnace repair.
- Minor repairs (e.g., replacing a thermostat, cleaning, or adjusting settings): $100 to $300
- Moderate repairs (e.g., replacing igniters, flame sensors, or minor motor issues): $300 to $600
- Major repairs (e.g., replacing the heat exchanger, motor, or other significant parts): $600 to $2,400 or more
These are general estimates, and depending on who you speak to, it could be more or less. The last thing you want to do is worry about the cost of a furnace repair in the winter. This is why we encourage you to schedule your heating service, and make sure you take care of your system. It could end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run!