Even though winter only officially started on December 21st, many people had already been feeling the chill and turned on their furnaces weeks ago. To ensure their systems run as smoothly as possible, homeowners should call an HVAC contractor to inspect their units and perform maintenance. If your furnace has been working well so far this season, you might wonder if this step is necessary. The guide below explains its importance.

Why Prioritize Furnace Maintenance?

1. Lowers Winter Expenses

Even if your furnace is successfully heating rooms, it might not be doing so as efficiently as possible. For example, if it has a clogged filter, dirt and debris will settle on its internal components and cause friction that accelerates wear and tear. Air will also have a hard time pushing past blockages, allowing it to lose heat in the process. 

As a result, your furnace will have to work harder than usual to warm living spaces, driving up your utility bills. In addition to switching out the furnace filter, your HVAC contractor will tighten loose components, lubricate others, and possibly repair or replace damaged parts. This will ensure a smoothly running system.

2. Avoids Repairs & Unexpected Breakdowns

A heating unit that has not received maintenance is more likely to break down in the middle of the winter. For example, your furnace might have developed a small refrigerant leak while it sat unused during the summer. Once you started relying on the heater regularly, it became worse. Since refrigerant carries heat from place to place, its loss will mean that your system will not work properly, and other components may wear themselves out trying to continue on as normal. 

If you get maintenance early, this issue could be spotted and resolved before it has a chance to escalate and become a more expensive problem. In some cases, this can save you the cost of a completely new furnace.

3. Protects Your Family

If your furnace were to cut out in the middle of the winter, it could leave your family dangerously cold. In addition, a heater that has not been inspected recently is more likely to experience carbon monoxide leaks or become a fire hazard. Besides being safety issues, these problems can be expensive. You might have to pay for a hotel while your family waits for the furnace to be fixed. In addition, a fire caused by a lack of home maintenance won't be covered by standard homeowners insurance. Having an HVAC contractor come by can alleviate these concerns.

If you need furnace maintenance or heating repair in Chelsea, MI, Steele Heating & Cooling is ready to help, just like they have been for the last 60 years. This family-owned and -operated team of HVAC contractors fixes and installs products from a wide range of brands, including Armstrong Air®, Aprilaire®, Bradford White®, and Generac®. To learn about their special offers, visit their website. To schedule an appointment, call (734) 475-1222.