Oil & Gas-Fired Furnace Maintenance & Repairs
When properly serviced, a furnace can last well beyond 20 years. Ideally, your furnace should be serviced in the summer when you aren't using it as much, and prior to the first cold spell. If you notice your furnace operating inefficiently or making noises, you may be due for maintenance. Yearly maintenance is key,
How often should a furnace be serviced so that these problems don’t occur?
A gas furnace should be serviced at least once a year, in the fall. Annual maintenance, including a thorough examination and cleaning of the parts that commonly malfunction, like the air filter, the fan, the pilot light, and the heat exchanger, can usually prevent these problems. Regular maintenance will cut heating costs, and increase the lifetime of the system, reduce breakdowns and repair costs, and cut the amount of carbon monoxide which is vented outside the home when the furnace is working properly. An oil furnace needs maintenance once a year. Our technician will change the oil filter and wipe everything down. They’ll vacuum out the motor and draft regulator and clean the blower. They will check for any additional concerns as well.
All furnaces should be maintained yearly if the fall. When combined with AC they would be serviced twice a year as in most situations; they are the blower system for your AC as well. Common malfunctions are flame sensors, ignition systems, pilot lights, heat exchangers and more. Oil furnaces require extra attention every year for their nozzles and oil filters to be replaced as well as to have a proper combustion analysis done! We don’t want you to have a possibly preventable breakdown to occur!
Signs Your Furnace is in Need of Repair
Strange Noises
If you hear a loud bang when you turn it on, it could mean the burners need to be cleaned. If you hear whistling or howling noises while it’s running, it could mean the fuel supply to the burners is being restricted. Loud noises coming from your furnace warrants a call DM Solutions LLC, our technicians will resolve the issue or seek a solution..
High Energy Bill
A very high energy bill in the winter, could be a sign that your furnace is in need of maintenance and cleaning. Your heating system will operate inefficiently when its parts are worn down or clogged by dirt or dust due to a broken blower. An inspection can help determine what the issue could be.
Age of Your Furnace
Of course you want the furnace to last for decades, however, even the best maintained furnace has a life expectancy. While furnaces have been known to last 30 years, that is the exception to the rule of 15-20 years, which is normal. As time goes on, the repairs will occur more often and become more expensive. The monthly energy bill will go up as well. When the time comes to think about replacing your furnace talk to DM Solutions for the solution.
Excessive Dust
Your home’s indoor air quality is often the first sign of issues with the furnace. Dry or dusty air could be a sign that your system needs maintenance attention. An older furnace, one with clogged air filters, or one with a malfunctioning humidifier could be affecting the comfort and health of your family. If you are experiencing allergy symptoms, a dry nose, or dry skin during winter, it’s worth checking to make sure your furnace is working properly.
The Most Common Furnace Problems
Problems associated with lack of regular maintenence:
- Dirty filters.
- Wear and tear.
- Electric ignition or pilot control problems.
- Malfunctioning thermostat.
- The furnace doesn’t heat enough.
- Frequent cycling.
- The blower continuously runs.
- The furnace is too noisy.
Oil fired furnaces require regular maintenance for fuel filters, nozzle, regular cleaning and combustion analysis.
For all these reasons and the health and safety of your family regular yearly maintenence as well as having the necessary repairs completed, will keep your furnace running smoothly. DM Solutions technicians are available for all your furnace needs.
