After that long and frigid winter spell, everyone is encouraged to do a thorough check of their heating systems. The start of spring is definitely the perfect time to do so, as the equipment won’t be as heavily used in the near future than it was the past season. Continue reading to fully understand why you should check your heating units in spring:
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To ensure the full functionality of the system
During the winter season, heating systems are in operation for extended periods of time. Expectedly, there will be parts that were worn out or worse, got broken. It is best that your equipment gets repaired before it will be used lengthily again. This is the primary reason why a system maintenance check is in order every heating system installed in homes.
The parts that have to be thoroughly checked are as follows:
- Furnace or baseboard heating units
The main furnace and flue outlets have to be methodically cleaned. The motors and fan bearings, if applicable, have to be oiled. Belts have to be checked against increased tension and normal wear and tear. Additionally, all combustion devices and safety features of the device has to adjusted accordingly.
- Ductwork
Ducts, pipes, air vents, and filters have to be cleaned on a regular basis as well. Ideally, you have to do so every two to three months. Cracked, leaking, and burst pipes have to be addressed immediately. Accidents caused by these broken parts happen frequently during the winter season.
- Radiators or registers
The dust, dirt, and pollen that are present in the radiator and registers act as insulation. With them in there, your heating system is forced to work harder. It results in a lot of heat wasted. It is then necessary to vacuum these parts regularly.
- Chimney
There should be no loose bricks or mortars in the chimney. If there are cracks or leaks in the lining, they should be repaired immediately to prevent further damage and more expensive maintenance costs.
- Thermostat
Many of the issues surrounding a heating system can be traced back to its thermostat. For starters, make sure that its batteries are replaced regularly. Electronic thermostats should be reprogrammed if they seem to be acting up. If everything else fails, call a technician. He would know if any part or if the entire device has to be replaced.
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To ensure fuel efficiency
A fully functional heating system assures users of lowered energy consumption. Experts say that you can save as much as 10% on your power bill if your heating system is well maintained. But other than high savings on your bills, you also won’t have to have to spend a lot of money on a new unit if and when the furnace breaks down due to poor maintenance.
Statistics show that heating charges make up 29% of the total energy bill of a typical household. Just imagine how much money you will save if you can cut the costs to at least 10%, assuming that you are paying approximately $2,200 for power consumption each month.
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To ensure air quality
If your and your family’s health is valuable to you, then you really have to check your heating system regularly. Because the equipment is used for a long period of time during the winter, you can expect that its air filters have gotten dirty. If anyone in the family is suffering from asthma or allergies, you can almost be sure that they will have a round with the disease soon enough. “Dirty air filters cause high amounts of dust and pollen to be present in the air that you breathe,” said Elite Heating & Air Conditioning. They would have to be cleaned or replaced altogether so as to eliminate all the possible contaminants.
Heating systems play a very important role in keeping your family comfortable during the winter and under extreme weather conditions. Neglecting maintenance will not just cost you a lot of money, but may also put your family in danger. The sooner a complete maintenance check is carried out, the better. Make it a habit to check your heating system in spring, so you won’t get caught unprepared for the next winter season.
