Don’t gamble with your family’s safety and comfort. Gambling is what you are doing when you postpone or ignore residential furnace maintenance on your home’s heating system! It’s true that some gamblers win, but many more lose. When you lose your gamble on HVAC maintenance the likely result will be expensive repair bills or an even more expensive heating system replacement.

You need a schedule

Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric recommends annual maintenance and tune-ups for your furnace. It should be scheduled in the fall before the cold weather arrives. In a moment we’ll talk more about what homeowners can do on their own, but this annual maintenance should be done by a trained HVAC technician. Their knowledge and experience help them identify problems before they cause a breakdown.

Consider signing up for our maintenance program

One reason HVAC maintenance gets ignored is human nature. Life is busy and it’s easy to put off calling to schedule an appointment. The easy fix is to join the Armstrong Service Agreement Plan (ASAP). As a member you don’t have to remember to call and make an appointment. We will call you and set a date and time that works for your schedule. Additionally, unlike many HVAC maintenance plans, the ASAP can be customized to fit every need and budget.

Doing your part

While professional maintenance is key to residential furnace maintenance or any type of HVAC equipment, there are many things a homeowner can do to help. Here are some of the most common steps:

• Replace your filters every 90 days (at a minimum)
• Inspect ductwork regularly looking for any signs of air leaks
• Make sure outdoor units have plenty of clearance for air circulation
• Keep the area around HVAC components as clean as possible
• Be attentive for any sudden changes (unusual sounds, units cycling on & off, strange smells)

The benefits for you

Practicing good maintenance doesn’t mean you will never have a problem with your heating system, but it does make the odds look a lot better. Your furnace will almost certainly last longer, run more efficiently, and keep you more comfortable. In other words, save the gambling for the casino not for your HVAC systems.