When it comes to the safety and preservation of our homes, it’s easy to overlook simple maintenance activities. We might notice a problem and think we’ll get to it “later”, or we might not even notice the problem at all. No matter if it is because you don’t see the need for spending money on a professional or if you just think you don’t need it, the reality is that deferred maintenance will come back and haunt you when you least expect it. Furnace maintenance in particular is one of the most important functions in your home.

An annual check-up ensures that your home heating and air conditioning system is safe for you and your home, saving you money by improving your energy efficiency. There are so many things that could go wrong right under your nose, but only a professional HVAC service technician could find the problem and fix it. Although many savvy men and women out there think they can fix anything in their home blindfolded, the truth is that doing your own furnace repair or installing devices on your own can be costly in the long run — and just plain dangerous.

One customer installed their own thermostat and it blew the whole circuit board inside the unit. He ended up paying way more for the repair than having us install it for him. This could happen with anything, including your furnace. It’s just about using reason and saving money for the customer.

Here are some of the things Cooper Climate Control technicians look for when performing an annual furnace check:

Blockage in the vent or drainage system- The vent and drain are essential parts of your system. Your furnace will perform at its best and last much longer with proper drainage and vent piping care by a qualified technician and will also keep your energy bill low.

Accumulation of dust and debris- Over time, dust and other particles can roam into your system and cause blockage and other damages. Air flow is compromised when dust gets in the way. A professional knows the right way to get around your system and clean it properly.

Rust and corrosion- If a part needs to be replaced, don’t wait to get it fixed before it does additional damage to your system. Metal can rust after not being properly cleaned and maintained for a long period of time, damaging parts of your system that are vital for proper working condition.

Dirty flame sensors- If your flame sensors are dirty, your burner cannot turn on, causing your furnace to not produce heat.  An experienced Cooper Climate Control technician will properly clean these so your system functions correctly.

Physical condition- Even though the individual parts of your system are working, the physical condition of the furnace is important too. Cooper Climate Control technicians will make sure that both the interior and exterior of your furnace meets the highest standards.

Emission of dangerous, undetectable gases- HVAC service technicians always check the carbon monoxide levels, as well as other gases, in your system to ensure there are no leaks, which can be a huge threat to your safety and health.

If that last one doesn’t raise any eyebrows, it should. Carbon monoxide can leak and go completely undetected for quite some time, leading to health problems or even death.

Deemed the Silent Killer, carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and kills on average 169 individuals a year according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In a 2012 study by the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 72,000 non-fire carbon monoxide incidents were reported between 2006 and 2010. Of those, 94 percent occurred in a home.  If people would get regular checks on their furnace, the heart of the home heating system, would this number be significantly lower?

There are more perks to getting your furnace checked annually than just being a responsible home owner. If you get your heating, air conditioning and electrical system checked regularly, you will save time and money, and in turn increase the energy efficiency of your home.  Not to mention that if you do happen to run into a problem (but you won’t, because you are a responsible individual who gets their furnace checked, right?), you may not be eligible for coverage by your insurance if you didn’t get it checked.

We go over every aspect of the furnace and perform a thorough 30-point check. We tell customers that their furnace is the vital point of their system. If you hear something, call us. If you feel something isn’t right, call us. To educate is the most powerful thing we can do for a client.

And the rest is up to you. Be aware and catch potential problems before they happen. Getting your heating system checked yearly will give you peace of mind and probably some extra money in your budget!

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