Between specialized lawn care and raking, you probably do a lot to prepare your yard for colder temperatures. Indoors, your furnace is no different. It also calls for upkeep to keep it heating correctly all through the fall and winter.

But how often should you service your furnace in The Bay Area? What if it was recently installed? Or running well? Are tune-ups necessary then? Let’s discuss why furnace maintenance is important and how often you should book it.

Why Furnace Tune-Ups Are Important

Your furnace is essential to keeping your home comfy during cold temps. When it’s frequently tuned up, you’ll receive reliable, efficient heat. If you regularly skip tune-ups, your furnace can accumulate grit. This can lead your furnace to work48} more and, consequently, increase your utility costs. A lack of service can also result in your furnace breaking down, leaving you with expensive repair bills that could have been stopped in many situations.

One of the most important tasks you can do by yourself is frequently replacing your furnace’s air filter. When your filter gets filthy, your furnace could start responding by doing something called short cycling, where it switches on and off more frequently to prevent overheating. Apart from the fact that this affects your gas costs, it also reduces your furnace’s life expectancy since it’s on more frequently.

If you have a flat filter, we suggest getting a new one at the very least monthly. Pleated filters can last up to three months. A simple method to find out whether you need to replace your filter is by removing it and moving it toward the light. If you don’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it.

However, how regularly you should replace your filter depends on how regularly your furnace turns on, if you have indoor animals and if anyone in your home suffers from allergies. The Contra Costa Heating & AC pros can provide support if you’re unsure how frequently you should get a new filter or what the ideal model is for your furnace.

How Often You Should Schedule Furnace Maintenance

We recommend scheduling furnace maintenance in The Bay Area once a year, ideally during the time between air conditioning and heating season. This will give you a head start just in case you need any repairs and will confirm you get stress-free heating during the winter. It also keeps your manufacturer’s warranty intact, which is important if you use a new furnace.

Besides getting a new air filter and keeping your register grates free of buildup, we don’t recommend doing furnace maintenance without professional help. Your furnace is a complicated appliance that needs assistance from a heating and cooling pro. All our friendly Contra Costa Heating & AC specialists have passed in-depth education to better support you. They’re also completely licensed and insured, providing you peace of mind that your heating system is in great hands.

Here are some of services we’ll do on our maintenance visit:

  • Check crucial parts of your furnace, like the heat exchanger, blower and burner.
  • Clean the interior of your furnace, in addition to the flame sensor, burner and blower.
  • Inspect the flue to confirm it’s venting correctly.
  • Examine complete furnace operation for safety and top operation.

Now is an excellent time to request your furnace maintenance appointment with Contra Costa Heating & AC. Our specialists are here to help you enjoy a headache-free winter with energy-efficient heat. Contact us at 510-343-9841 to book your appointment today, and remember to browse our offers for select discounts on your future maintenance appointment.