Many people follow a cleaning and maintenance schedule when it comes to major home appliances or specific areas, such as landscaping the exterior. Yet, one of the most overlooked aspects of a cleaning and maintenance schedule is that of the furnace. Furnace cleaning and maintenance is important at any time of year, but particularly before it becomes necessary in the colder months.

 

Why You Should Routinely Clean Your Furnace

Your furnace is responsible for heating your home and in the process of doing so, it attracts dust, dirt and various other particles. If you don’t clean your furnace routinely, all of these components get distributed through your home’s heating system.

This not only has the potential to cause myriad health issues, but also, may create dust layers around your home. A home air environment full of dust and other allergens may exacerbate existing health problems, including asthma, allergies and other lung disorders.

Since air quality can sometimes be a challenge at times in this area of the state, making sure that it is good inside of the home is especially important.

Failing to engage in routine furnace cleaning may also impact its performance. It may become easily clogged or even stop working entirely if you go too long between maintenance and cleaning visits.

 

When You Should Schedule Furnace Cleaning

Luckily, Ventura County furnace cleaning furnace cleaning is not a process that has to play out as often as other home maintenance requirements. Because your furnace is only commonly used at specific times of the year, the cleaning schedule can be set up around most frequent use.

Moreover, since the weather in this region stays pleasant for much of the year, chances are you don’t have to use your furnace as much as residents in other areas of the country.

This means that a cleaning and maintenance visit before the colder months and again once this time of year as passed is sufficient for furnace cleaning. It is especially important to clean your furnace before the winter months, as dust and other small particles can build up in the furnace system during the months of inactivity.

This may cause it to sputter and malfunction upon turning it on for the first time, which is not ideal if it’s cold enough to actually require heat in the home. A professional furnace cleaning company can also provide maintenance on the entire system before the winter to ensure that it is in good shape to handle your home heating needs.

 

Signs Your Furnace Needs to be Cleaned/Repaired

In addition to a routine cleaning and maintenance schedule, there are specific signs that your furnace may need be to cleaned. Paying attention to the performance and function of the furnace ensures that it doesn’t malfunction when you need it most.

If you clean the system routinely or deal with repairs when they are manageable, you may save yourself from a headache down the road. Signs you may need Los Angeles County furnace cleaning or maintenance/repair include:

A recent move

This is imperative because you don’t know what the previous residents did with the furnace in terms of cleaning and maintenance. Therefore, get a fresh start with an in-depth furnace cleaning and inspection. This will give you the opportunity to set a regular schedule moving forward and ensure that your furnace system remains in good health.

 

Mitigated air flow

If the air flow being generated through the furnace’s heating system doesn’t feel as strong as it should or seems compromised in any way, it is best to get it checked out before what may be a small issue becomes a major one. A simple cleaning can sometimes get the particles and dust out that may be blocking the airflow, and prevent these impurities from further compromising the entire system.

 

Damp ducts

If you are replacing the filters in your heating system and notice that the air ducts feel damp, you may have a larger issue. There should never be moisture in your home’s heating system. Getting the furnace cleaned and maintained can ensure that moisture droplets don’t create the conditions for mold to thrive. In many instances, the system simply needs to be cleaned, but getting it checked out ensures there is not a major problem with your furnace.

 

Gas smell

If you smell gas coming from your furnace or notice a scent in the air when you turn on your furnace (different from that which indicates it has been several months since you’ve used the system), then it’s best to shut it off immediately and schedule a cleaning/maintenance visit.

 

Sounds

If you turn your furnace on and hear any sounds like banging or scraping, it’s definitely time to have your system cleaned/maintained. The culprit may simply be impurities making their way through the ducts or the furnace itself. However, the issue may also be more sinister, which is why it is imperative to have the issue looked at before it’s time to fire it up daily during the colder months.

 

High heating bills

For the most part, your heating bills should be pretty consistent. If your bill suddenly skyrockets, then you may need to have it checked for any underlying issues that may be causing the furnace to run more than usual.

 

Blowing cold air

Obviously, once you cue up the furnace for the cooler months, the air blowing out should be warm. If your system is blowing cold air when it shouldn’t be, then it’s definitely time for a maintenance/repair visit.

 

Next Steps

Routine cleaning/maintenance visits may prevent some of these issues from occurring by catching them before they become a problem. This is yet another reason why adhering to a furnace cleaning schedule is so important. It may save you time and money on repairs that become more expensive down the road.

Contact us today to learn more or schedule a furnace cleaning and maintenance appointment.