Summer is winding down, and cool temperatures are right around the corner. For many homeowners, the change in seasons means it’s time to start thinking about additional home maintenance tasks before the temperature drops.
When there’s a chill in the air, the last thing you want to deal with is a broken heating system. One of the most important things you can do to help keep your home comfortable in the cold months is to schedule a heater tune-up. American Home Shield® is here to answer questions about tuning up your heater and how it can help your budget.
How often should I get a heater tune-up?
You should plan on getting a tune-up every year. Put a reminder on the calendar at the end of summer or the beginning of fall to book a tune-up service appointment—and make sure to schedule it in advance because everyone else will want a tune-up around that time.
While a tune-up is recommended annually, you can take care of heating maintenance year-round by changing your filters every one to three months.
Why does my heater need a tune-up?
According to research by Clear Vanatge, the typical cost to repair or replace a furnace is $120 to $3,500*. Nobody wants to deal with an expense like that if they can avoid it.
Basic preventive maintenance, like a heating tune-up, can help extend the life of your unit, ensuring you don’t have to replace it before it’s necessary—but that’s just one advantage of an annual service.
For a minimal cost, a heater tune-up provides several maintenance benefits:
- Lower utility bills. You can lower your electric and gas bills by ensuring your furnace performs efficiently and at optimal levels. Heating costs can account for a large portion of these bills in the fall and winter, and a tune-up will help ensure your unit uses energy efficiently.
- Better airflow and air quality in your home. An annual tune-up service will help maintain proper airflow throughout your home. If problems with your unit restrict the airflow into your house, air won’t distribute evenly, and your home won’t heat consistently. Technicians will also check your filters, which will help improve air quality.
- Enhanced safety. A heating unit that isn’t regularly serviced can develop leaks in the heat exchanger. These leaks are caused by cracks due to a lack of maintenance and airflow issues, which can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide levels in your home. Additionally, technicians will check burners for proper operation and combustion.
- Fewer major breakdowns and expensive repairs. A broken heating unit can be a real emergency when temperatures are at or below freezing. Getting your heater serviced reduces the risk of serious problems occurring throughout the season. Tune-ups can help to diagnose minor issues that could turn into serious, expensive problems down the road.
