Like your air conditioning system, your heating equipment needs a regular cleaning, inspection, and tuneup to keep it working reliably throughout the season. Heating maintenance is a smart investment in the safety and comfort of your space.
Here are some important furnace and heat pump maintenance tasks that need to be done each fall, ideally before you start up your heating system for the first time.
5 heating maintenance tasks your system needs every year
1. Clean or replace filters
Many heating systems (including forced air and heat pumps) have air filters that can get clogged with grime and dust over time. Air flow is important to the operation of your heating system, and clogged filters make it work harder to reach the set temperature. That consumes more energy and drives up your utility bills. And creates wear-and-tear that can lead to breakdowns.
Cleaning or replacing filters at least once a year is an important heating maintenance task that helps keep your system working efficiently and reliably.
2. Inspect the flue pipe and air ducts
Just as a chimney flue can become blocked with soot from a fireplace, your furnace’s ventilation flue pipe can become corroded or clogged.
Your heating maintenance technician will inspect the flue system to ensure that there are no dislocated sections or structural integrity issues. It may be necessary to readjust sections that have become disconnected or replace those that are damaged. This heating maintenance task is critically important to ensure that exhaust gases, including deadly carbon monoxide, get safely released outside.
It’s also a good idea to inspect heating ductwork to make sure there are no cracks, holes, dust clogs, or even insect/bird/rodent nests that can prevent heated air from blowing into your space.
3. Check and clean the ignition assembly
Gas or oil furnaces have ignition systems that can become dirty or damaged. When that happens, the ignition system can fail to light the burner. That’s unsafe, since it can cause a buildup of gas in the air. You’ll also find yourself without heat.
As part of furnace maintenance, your HVAC maintenance technician will inspect and clean the ignition assembly, and make adjustments if needed. If there’s significant damage to the assembly, it may need to be replaced.
4. Clean the fan assembly
Many heating systems have a fan assembly for keeping air flowing smoothly into your space. When the fan motor and blades are coated with dust, the fan operation can be affected, reducing air flow. Fan belts can also get worn over time.
Your heating maintenance technician will clean and lubricate motors and fan blades, as well as replace worn belts, to keep your equipment in good working condition.
5. Inspect electrical components and thermostats
Heating systems like heat pumps and furnaces have electrical components that can wear or become damaged. It’s important to replace worn electrical parts because a short can take down your entire system.
HVAC maintenance technicians will inspect all electrical components and replace anything that’s faulty or worn. They will also test thermostats and other controls to ensure accuracy and proper operation.
HVAC maintenance agreements keep you comfortable all year long
Don’t be tempted to allow your maintenance staff to take care of your heating system. Since heating maintenance involves working with electricity, gas, and/or refrigerant chemicals, heating maintenance must be done by a qualified HVAC professional.
You’ll get the best price on heating maintenance with a yearly commercial HVAC maintenance agreement. With Arista, you’ll also get an easy-to-understand contract that’s customized to the specific needs of your equipment, location, and business.
In the NYC metro area, thousands of businesses trust Arista’s HVAC maintenance to provide reliable comfort, prevent breakdowns, lower energy bills, and prolong equipment life.
Give us a call today!
