Winter weather in Utah can feature cold temperatures and several inches of snow each month. Therefore, it’s critical that your home’s heating system is capable of providing consistent warmth for everyone who spends time there. A home system checkup can be a great gift for your spouse or anyone else you love who wants to make their home a little more inviting this winter.
What Does a System Checkup Entail?
A home heating system checkup includes a thorough inspection of your furnace to look for any defects that could impede its ability to work in an effective manner. For instance, an inspection may reveal that the furnace is clogged by dust, dirt or other debris because the air filter hasn’t been changed in several months. It may also reveal that the furnace isn’t combusting completely, which can result in a potential natural gas leak or other troubling indoor air quality issues.
In addition, a checkup can include an inspection of ducts and vents to ensure that they are free of debris and are in good condition. Ducts that are loose or damaged can allow warm air to escape out of your house or to areas inside that no one occupies. Damage to ducts may also be a sign of rodents or other pests that you’ll need to take care of in a timely manner to prevent further issues.
The trained technician who comes to your home may also have time to address any specific issues that you think your heating system is having. For instance, if the furnace seems to cycle too much, our representative may be able to diagnose and troubleshoot the issue.
How a System Check Can Increase Furnace Efficiency
Having your home’s heating system inspected can improve its performance in several ways. First, if necessary, we can remove dirt, dust or debris that is clogging or weighing down heating system parts. Getting rid of a clog or excess weight reduces your heating system’s workload, which means that it will operate more efficiently. It may also reduce the risk of blower motors or electronic parts breaking, shorting out or otherwise incurring damage before the end of their useful lives.
We can also make sure that your thermostat is properly calibrated to ensure that your home is always at the proper temperature. Calibrating the thermostat can also reduce the chances of a short cycle, which can help save money in the long run. We’ll also check electrical connections to ensure that your furnace or other components will run consistently and safely, which can also improve efficiency and save money.
What Happens After a Tune-up?
After a checkup has been completed, you’ll get an overview of the condition of your furnace and any steps that you can take to make your home even more comfortable. For instance, we may recommend that you consider replacing your furnace or at least the parts that are old or worn. We may also recommend that you repair or replace ducts or other parts that may be contributing to inefficiency or indoor air quality issues.
How Can You Schedule a Checkup?
You can schedule a checkup by clicking the “Schedule Service” button on our website or by giving us a call at your earliest convenience. A variety of payment methods are available if you need help concealing the fact that you have purchased the checkup as a gift.
Maintaining Your Heating System Between Checkups
There are a number of easy steps that you can take to keep your heating system working its best between checkups. For instance, changing out the air filter in accordance with manufacturer recommendations can reduce the amount of debris in the air that can land on furnace parts.
In most cases, you’ll need to change the air filter every 30 to 60 days, but some stronger air filters can last for several months or even a year. Failing to change the air filter frequently enough increases the risk of a clog, which means particles simply bounce off of the filter and back into the air.
You should also be sure to keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature during the winter. A reliable heating system should be able to maintain a temperature somewhere between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit without issue. However, the warmer you want to keep your house, the harder the furnace will need to work to achieve and maintain your preferred temperature.
Finally, it may be possible to help your heating system by dusting, sweeping and vacuuming your home regularly. Doing so can help to remove a significant amount of debris before it can coat your furnace.
What if It’s Time to Replace Your Heating System?
You may decide that a checkup isn’t enough to provide yourself and your family with a comfortable home. If your heating system is more than 20 years old, it might be time to consider a furnace replacement, as newer systems are almost certainly more efficient than what’s in your house now.
In addition, newer systems often have smart capabilities, which makes them easier to control from wherever you happen to be. Another great reason to upgrade your system now is that it will cost less to maintain in the future, and with a new system in place, you’ll almost certainly be sure to get checkups in the future, which can further reduce the amount of time and money spent on maintenance.
Our team can install a new heating system if necessary, and we’ll also be able to help with duct cleaning or indoor air quality assessments. We can provide price quotes and other information either during a checkup or when you get in touch with us by phone or email.
A Heating System Checkup Is a Thoughtful Gift by Itself
Even if you just schedule a checkup on its own, you have done yourself and your family a tremendous service. Doing so shows that you care about the well-being of your mate and the comfort and safety of your children. Scheduling such an appointment can take a task off of your spouse’s plate, which can make it possible for them to catch up on a show, take a nap or simply spend a few more quality minutes with you.
The best part is that a heating system checkup is a gift that will reap benefits for months without having to break the bank. It is also something that your partner or other loved one probably won’t expect you to get for the holiday, which proves that you put thought into your gift. Since we come to you, there is no need to worry about waiting in line the night before Valentine’s Day to grab something special or fretting that it won’t be delivered in time.
We can also repair pipes, install a new toilet, or take other steps to keep your household’s HVAC and plumbing equipment running properly at all times. If you need a heating system check, contact our team at Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing in American Fork today.
