The Value of Fall Cleanings for Your Furnace

Many people understandably ignore their furnace as long as it seems to operating properly.

This is a bad practice for several reasons:

1. Without regular servicing, your furnace will not operate at peak efficiently, causing higher energy bills
2. When not serviced at least once a year, your system will not last as long, causing the need for costly premature replacement
3. During visits, Jansen can spot a needed heater repair that can be addressed for less now rather than more later

Furnace Maintenance

By having your heating appliance tuned up in the fall, you can avoid spending time and money on a heating crisis later, along with the possible danger of leaving your family without heat on a cold winter night.

It also is a good idea call Jansen for a quick clean in the spring. We will vacuum up any dust or soot.

Replacing the filter

Your furnace filter needs to be inspected and replaced more frequently. How often depends on the use, type of filter in your furnace, and whether there are pets at home:

• If you use a basic fiberglass or paper filter it usually needs to be replaced every 1-2 months during the winter.
• If you use an electrostatic or HEPA filter, change or clean it every 2-4 months.
• If you have pets or smokers, you may need to change the filter more often to trap dust, dirt and airborne particulates.

Changing or cleaning furnace filters is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to maximize the efficiency of your heating system. Plus, a clean furnace with a fresh filter can freshen the indoor air in your home.

Why Hire a Furnace Pro?

Although basic furnace maintenance can be handled by homeowners who enjoy spending their free time on DIY chores, it makes sense to hire a professional for some jobs.

For example, if you’ve noticed a rumbling sound and can’t find a source.

Any of these situations also require a pro:

• Excessive soot: If you notice an excessive amount of soot in the combustion chamber—which usually indicates that the burners need adjustment or the heat exchanger must be replaced
• Yellow or irregular flame: The pilot light flame should be blue. If yours is yellow, faint or irregular, it can be a sign of dirty burners or a cracked heat exchanger.
• Short cycling: Is your furnace running for a short period only to shut off suddenly? That’s “short cycling,” and may be caused by an damaged thermostat or an overheating exchanger.

The biggest reason to hire an HVAC professional is that cleaning and servicing your furnace is a hassle. We can do it faster and better, while checking for any upcoming potential problems that can be addressed in the moment to save money later.

Furnace Cleaning FAQs

How long will my furnace last?

Furnaces can typically last 20 to 30 years. However, newer furnaces are more energy-efficient, so if your unit is more than 15 years old, you may want to consider a replacement.

A new Energy Star-certified gas furnace will be up to 15 percent more energy-efficient than baseline models and can save you up to $85 annually in energy costs.

Are old furnaces dangerous?

Any furnace that has not been properly cleaned and maintained on an annual basis can create a hazardous situation. Some potential problems include:

• allergies,
• aggravated asthma and breathing problems, typically caused by poor filtration;
• gas or oil leaks, which create a fire hazard and
• carbon monoxide leaks, which can cause unconsciousness or death.

You should have CO on every floor, or buy integrated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.