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Don’t suffer after business hours if you have an HVAC or water heater emergency. Meade Heating & Air Conditioning proudly offers 24/7 emergency solutions to serve our community best. Call us at 610-458-8706 to get help now. We work day and night in Montgomery, Berks, and Chester Counties. Whether your home is freezing in the winter, your basement is filling with water from your water heater, or you have another emergency, we’re here for you.

How Often Should You Have Your Heater Inspected?

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When it comes to your furnace, preventive maintenance is essential. Your heater should receive maintenance 1 to 2 times per year. Meade HVAC recommends having your HVAC system inspected once before the heating season and once before the cooling season. This way, you will know your system is ready to run all season long.

8 Reasons to Get Your Furnace Checked Regularly

Just like any other machinery you own, your heater requires a bit of attention to function efficiently. When you take good care of your heater, you will receive various benefits. There are many good reasons to get your furnace checked regularly.

  • Maximize Efficiency

The main benefit of scheduling preventative maintenance regularly is maximizing efficiency. Preventative maintenance keeps your system clean so that all of the parts work correctly. It also allows air to flow freely throughout your HVAC system.

  • Lower Energy Bills

When your system is running efficiently you will likely notice lower energy bills. HVAC systems are typically the largest energy consumers for most households. With this in mind, you will want to make sure you save where you can and ensure that you schedule preventative maintenance 1-2 times per year with Meade HVAC in Chester Springs.

  • Fewer Repairs Over Time

Preventative maintenance provides the chance to catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs. It can also help you reduce the number of total repairs your system will need over its lifetime. This means you save even more of your hard-earned money.

  • More Comfort

When your system is cleaned regularly, it will promote better airflow. Better airflow means more comfort. When the air gets blocked or trapped, less warm air will make it into your home. Then you may notice warm or cool spots. Scheduling air duct cleaning with Meade HVAC once every 8-10 years can help keep air flowing efficiently through your HVAC system.

  • Good Air Quality

Everyone loves a nice breath of fresh and clean air. Changing your air filter regularly (usually every month) is one of the best ways to keep the air in your home clean. When you schedule maintenance with Meade HVAC, your technician will check your filter and clean other dirt that has accumulated in your system. As mentioned before, you will also want to get your air ducts cleaned every 8-10 years.

  • Avoid Gas Leaks

Safety is a primary concern when it comes to your family. You want to know that your loved ones are safe while they are at home. Scheduling regular inspections from Meade HVAC will allow technicians to catch potentially dangerous issues with your furnace. This includes gas leaks that can expose your home and family to deadly carbon monoxide.

Safety note: If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, evacuate your home immediately and call the fire department. Do not reenter your home until they tell you it is safe. You should also have a certified HVAC contractor like Meade HVAC inspect your furnace to ensure it is safe. If your Berks County home does not already have a carbon monoxide detector, Meade HVAC can help you install one.

  • Avoid Electric Malfunctions

Yet another safety concern with furnaces is electrical malfunctions. If any of the wires on your heater are loose or broken, it has the potential to start a fire. If a Meade HVAC technician notices any wiring issues while they are inspecting your system they will fix or replace the wiring so that you and your family can be safe this winter.

  • Uphold Your HVAC System’s Warranty

Many HVAC systems come with a warranty that requires preventative maintenance 1-2 times per year. Meade HVAC can help you uphold your warranty so that if something happens to your system, you can save by not having to pay out of pocket for replacement parts.

What Parts Get Serviced?

Pretty much every part of your heater will get serviced one way or another when you schedule preventative maintenance with Meade HVAC. Whether it is simply inspecting the part to ensure it is ready to function correctly, cleaning it, or making a repair, a Meade HVAC technician will thoroughly check your HVAC system.

Yet, you still may be curious to know what to expect when your heater is being serviced. There are multiple types of heaters that all work a little differently. Therefore, each different type of heater has different parts that will require servicing.

Oil Furnaces

  1. Combustion Chamber – The technician will remove soot, water vapor, and other debris from the combustion chamber to help prevent corrosion and wear and tear.
  2. Flue Pipe – The flue pipe helps ensure that the product of the burning oil exits your home properly. It needs to be inspected for damaged and repaired if necessary.
  3. Barometric Damper – The barometric damper controls the draft inside the furnace. It may need to be adjusted to ensure the system runs efficiently.
  4. Oil Filter – The oil filter helps prevent impurities from clogging the oil burner nozzle. It generally needs to be replaced twice during the heating season. When you schedule maintenance with Meade HVAC we will check if it needs to be replaced.
  5. Air Filter – Homeowners should clean/change their air filters regularly. The standard 1” filter typically should be changed every month. However, HVAC contractors will make it a point to check your air filter while performing maintenance. If the filter gets clogged, dirt can get into the more sensitive components of your system and cause problems.
  6. Burner – Your technician will test your burner by performing a combustion analysis. They will collect measurements and make adjustments as necessary to help maximize the efficiency of your furnace.
  7. Floor Vents – One of the last components to take care of is the floor vents. Cleaning these helps promote ventilation, and system efficiency. It also helps keep dirt out of the air circulating through your home.

Gas/Propane Furnaces

  1. Flame Sensor – The soot on the flame sensor needs to be cleaned so that your system will continue to turn on. Too much soot on the sensor will prevent your system from turning on.
  2. Plenums – Plenums need to be inspected for mold, insulation, and debris and cleaned to ensure proper function.
  3. Cabinet – The cabinet that houses the components of your furnace will collect debris over time. This will need to be cleaned during maintenance to upkeep your system’s performance.
  4. Heat Exchanger – The heat exchanger needs to be inspected and cleaned so that it can continue to transfer heat.
  5. Blower Motor – The blower motor helps draw in cool air and push out hot air. This part requires inspection, cleaning, and replacement when necessary.
  6. Flue Venting – Flue venting allows exhaust to exit your home. This part should be inspected and repaired if it has any cracks or holes.
  7. Gas Line – The gas line provides fuel for your furnace. Just like the other parts it needs to be inspected and repaired when damaged.
  8. Carbon Monoxide Levels – Carbon monoxide is not a component, but it is important to test the levels to ensure safety for your home and family.
  9. Safety Shut-off Equipment – When there is an issue with your system, safety shut-off equipment will help protect your home and family. These parts should be tested during maintenance and replaced if needed.
  10. Air Filter – (See #5 under oil furnaces.)

Radiant Heaters

  1. Pressure – The pressure should be checked and adjusted to prevent damage and overheating.
  2. Piping – Pipes need to be checked for corrosion and replaced when damaged.
  3. Noise – Noise is not a component of a radiant heater, but if your system is making any unusual sounds, it should be diagnosed and repaired during maintenance.

Heat Pumps

  1. Filters – (See #5 under oil furnaces.)
  2. Ducts and Vents – When you schedule preventive maintenance with Meade HVAC, they will inspect your ducts for damage. They will look for dents, leaks, and cracks. If they notice any of these issues, they will tell you and replace the duct with your permission. Air vents should also be cleaned regularly.
  3. Blower – (See #5 under gas/propane furnaces.)
  4. Coils – Coils aid in the transfer of heat. They need to be cleaned so that they can function properly. They should also be inspected for refrigerant leaks.
  5. Refrigerant – Inside the coils is refrigerant. This is the medium used to transfer heat. The levels should be checked and adjusted during maintenance.
  6. Electric Terminals – If necessary, the Meade HVAC technician will clean and tighten the connections of the electrical terminals. They may also apply a nonconductive coating.
  7. Motors – The motor will also be inspected and lubricated if needed.
  8. Belts – Belts may also be tightened or replaced if they are too worn down.

Separate Components

  1. Thermostat – The thermostat is the brain or the control center of your entire HVAC system. It should be tested regularly to ensure proper function. If there is an issue, it will likely require replacing.
  2. Humidifier – If you have a humidifier it should also be inspected, cleaned, and repaired if you notice any problems.
  3. Electronic Air Purifier – Electronics air purifiers help remove contaminants from the air. They should also be inspected, cleaned, and fixed when necessary.

Costs

The cost of heater maintenance can fluctuate based on a variety of factors.  These include:

  • The state you live in
  • The quality of the HVAC contractor you use
  • What services are included in the preventative maintenance service
  • The type of system you own
  • Need for repairs
  • Need for replacement parts

Scheduling preventive maintenance will often save you in the long run. While it may seem like it costs you more short term, it will more than pay off for itself in the long run. This is mainly because:

  • You will be able to tackle small issues before they turn into expensive repairs.
  • It will allow you to maximize efficiency regularly so you can save on your energy bills.
  • Your system will last longer overall. Many systems serviced yearly by Meade HVAC will last longer than the manufacturer’s life expectancy.

Be sure to check our financing page for payment solutions.

Contact Meade HVAC for Heater Maintenance Today!

No matter what type of heater you own, Meade HVAC can help you get it running in tip-top shape. We make it easy and convenient to ensure that your heater gets the attention it requires so it will run efficiently for your family all winter long. Call now to reap the benefits of quality heater care.

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Why Choose Meade Heating & Air Conditioning?

Over 40 Years of Local Experience
  • We service all brands, guaranteeing you peace of mind during your service.
  • Our background-checked technicians are licensed and insured.
  • We are proud to be a part of a community that’s given so much to us.
  • Our financing options allow customers to get help when it's needed.
  • We promise honest service for every job we do.