Most people don’t think about their furnace– until it stops working. And that’s a big mistake. Waiting until your furnace stops working to organize maintenance or repairs is a surefire way to spend more money on it than you need to. By contrast, if you organize a furnace inspection before there’s a problem, that kind of proactive maintenance can save you a lot of hassle and money. So if you’re wondering when the best time for a furnace inspection is, here’s the short answer: before you need the heat. But there are other factors to consider regarding the best time for a furnace inspection, and we’re going to go into a little more detail on these right here.
Why Furnace Inspections Matter
Your furnace handles fuel, heat, and airflow. Any kind of failure in the system can be unsafe, leading to gas leaks, carbon monoxide– even fires. If you have a regular furnace inspection, you can catch the problems such as cracks, dirty filters, or worn out parts early. Regular furnace inspections also really help to extend the lifespan of your furnace and make it more energy efficient; it helps keep all parts clean and tuned so that your system uses less energy to heat your home. As with all essential systems in your house: preventative care is a lot cheaper than emergency repairs (or early replacements). Yearly furnace inspections are actually prerequisites for some warranties to stay valid, so that’s worth keeping in mind too.
The Best Time for a Furnace Inspection
The best time for a furnace inspection is late summer to early fall. You want to make sure everything is in perfect working condition before you need your furnace in the winter. Winter is also one of the busiest times of year for furnace inspections. Checking yours before there’s a huge demand will ensure you get your furnace seen to on time. Technicians are also usually very busy with emergency calls in cold months like January, whereas in the fall they’re less busy and have more flexible scheduling.
Seasonal Breakdown: What to Know
Late Summer/ Early Fall – The Prime Time
This is definitely the best time for a furnace inspection. You can address any wear from last winter and prepare your furnace to heat your home as efficiently as possible during the winter season.
Winter – Last Resort
It’s not ideal to book your furnace inspection in winter, because if anything needs to be replaced or repaired, you could be stuck for a period of time without a working furnace- just when you need it the most. Furnace inspections over winter usually only happen when there’s already a breakdown, so you need an emergency repair. Which comes with a much higher price tag than a proactive maintenance checkup.
Spring – A Good Backup
Spring is probably the second best season to organize your furnace inspection. You’ll have just come out of winter, where the furnace will have been used heavily, so it’s a good time to see how it is holding up after such consistent use. You might also pay less for off season repairs or upgrades, making it a potentially smart choice economically speaking.
What Happens During a Furnace Inspection?
Most homeowners postpone their furnace inspection because they don’t see the point; they think it’s just a cursory revision, and why pay for that? The fact is, a furnace inspection entails a lot more than a quick check. The technicians will inspect your filter, burners, ignition system, blower motor, and venting. They carefully scrutinize it for cracks or leaks in the heat exchanger, and ensure safety systems (such as carbon monoxide detectors) are functioning well. They also clean any necessary components to increase your furnace’s efficiency.
Signs You Shouldn’t Wait for an Inspection
If you hear or notice any of the following signs, you should definitely schedule a furnace inspection– whatever the season. These signs are: strange noises (such as banging, rattling, or squeaking), uneven heating or a weak airflow, an increased utility bill (without an increased usage), and dust, soot, or odd smells around the vents. You should also schedule an immediate furnace inspection if your pilot light is yellow instead of blue, because this could indicate a gas safety issue.
Professional Inspections vs. DIY
As a homeowner, you can handle a bit of the furnace maintenance yourself, such as cleaning or changing the filters, making sure the vents are unblocked, and vacuuming around the furnace.
What Professionals Should Handle
You definitely need to let a professional handle the revision of the electrical and gas connections, the heat exchanger inspection, carbon monoxide testing, and any maintenance on the internal components.
Seeing as a furnace involves combustible fuel, it’s important to prioritize safety above all else. DIY maintenance is no replacement for a professional furnace inspection.
How a Furnace Inspection Protects Property Value
Potential buyers will likely ask to see your HVAC records in order to check the condition of your furnace. They’ll likely check how often you scheduled furnace inspections in order to gauge how well maintained your system is. If you’ve organized regular furnace inspections, this is a green flag for buyers; they’ll know that they won’t have to worry about replacing the furnace for the foreseeable future, which inspires confidence and facilitates the sale.
Final Takeaway: Don’t Wait for Cold Weather
Bottom line: don’t wait for cold weather to hit before you schedule your furnace inspection. The best time for a furnace inspection is early fall, to beat the emergency callouts and make sure your furnace is in tip top condition before it gets colder. Schedule your furnace inspection today with NWI Heating & Air, then sit back and look forward to a look forward to a warm, efficient, worry-free winter.
