How to Avoid Needing Furnace Repair

Furnace repair can be very expensive and cause quite a headache for homeowners. It is very important for the longevity and efficiency of your furnace that you keep the system maintained properly to avoid a big breakdown at the worst time.

So how do you prevent running into issues with your furnace and needing furnace repair? The best way is to schedule annual furnace tune-up with a heating and air conditioning professional. Although this may have some cost associated with it, you save 5-10% in energy costs each year by ensuring your furnace is operating at maximum efficiency, and your furnace technician will be able to catch small problems before they become big ones.

Another small step to assist in the avoidance of furnace repair is to change the furnace’s air filter regularly and clean it once every month. Many furnace repair technicians have reported that as many as half of their furnace repair calls are caused by dirty motors. Keeping a clean and fresh filter can prevent these breakdowns and save you money.

If you choose to do your furnace maintenance on your own, remember to proceed with caution. Remember that you are working with an appliance that runs on flammable materials and has the potential to be very dangerous. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t perform any maintenance on your own furnace that is more involved than changing the filter.

If you do happen to run into issues that may need furnace repair, before you call for assistance, make sure to check these simple fixes to avoid an unnecessary service:

• Check to make sure the thermostat is set at the right temperature.
• Check to make sure all registers in the house are open and not blocked by furniture.
• Check to see if the pilot light is on. If it is not, follow the instructions on the furnace to get it going again, but take the safety precautions VERY seriously. This can be dangerous if not done correctly. If your pilot light goes out often, you may have a larger problem that needs to be addressed by a technician.
• Check to make sure the circuit breaker is on.