While turning on the heat in your home couldn’t be further out of mind this time of year, at Wyckoff Heating & Cooling we encourage central Iowans to think about furnace maintenance far before cold weather strikes. There are many benefits to early, routine tune-ups, perhaps most importantly the opportunity to catch small issues before they become a big problem. Read on to learn why it’s important to invest in routine maintenance, what our service entails and why now is the best time.

The Importance Of Routine Maintenance

One of the greatest advantages of scheduled maintenance is the likelihood of catching or preventing a problem before it starts. Buildup of dust, dirt and debris make your furnace work twice as hard to warm your home, in turn increasing the risk of a breakdown. Allowing a skilled technician to inspect burners, buildup, bolts and output will not only improve your furnace’s ability to work effectively, it will increase efficiency, cut down on energy costs and improve the lifetime of your HVAC system.

A small investment can save significant money in the long-run. As an example, a loose bolt may cause the fan motor to rattle. If a technician identifies the issue during a routine tune-up, he can tighten the bolt and fix the problem. However, if the bolt is left loose over the course of several months, it may damage the motor itself, requiring a far more expensive replacement later on.

What To Expect

During our service visit, a trained, experienced technician will provide a thorough furnace inspection. This includes details such as adjusting dampers, cleaning and replacing filters, tightening bolts and connections, lubricating motors, inspecting combustion and adjusting gas pressure. It is our goal to identify potential problem areas for future repair. Hiring a professional to inspect and maintain your furnace guarantees that a thorough job is performed. Additional inspection elements include: testing airflow, inspecting burners and the pilot light, reviewing furnace condition and testing safety components.

Homeowners may opt for Wyckoff’s Peace of Mind Planned Service program which entails two, annual service visits, 10 percent off regular service rates, 15 percent off parts and accessories and helpful tips from our experts to help save on your energy costs and ensure you experience quality comfort year-round. Peace of Mind planned service participants have access to our skilled technicians any time of day and avoid overtime charges for nights, weekends and even holidays for $168 plus tax.

Now Is the Time

The good news about furnace tune-ups – our experienced technicians can inspect the system no matter the temperature outdoors. In fact, the best time to have a professional tune-up your furnace is late summer or early fall before there’s any chance of cold weather. This gives technicians enough time to do a thorough inspection and make any necessary repairs. Plus, with Iowa’s temperamental nature, you never know when you may need the warmth of your furnace. One thing we can be sure of – with the extremely hot summer, we can expect another freezing winter. These drastic changes cause your HVAC system to work overtime, so it’s never too early to invest in a tune-up.

Do-It-Yourself Maintenance

There are also a few things you should do throughout the year to make sure that your furnace continues to operate well until the next scheduled maintenance visit. Inspecting and changing the filter on a regular basis ensures efficiency and keeps circulating air clean. If your smoke alarm, carbon monoxide and thermostat run on batteries, now is a good time to test and change them. Investing a few minutes of time can go a long way in ensuring your family’s safety.

To schedule your furnace tune-up, contact Wyckoff Heating & Cooling today.