Is Your Furnace Ready for Winter?

While fall in Calgary is always a little on-again-off-again, the temperatures will drop soon enough, and you need to know your furnace won’t stop when you need it most. No one wants to be caught in the middle of January with a faulty furnace, which means now is the time to make sure everything is functioning optimally. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your family stays safe and warm this winter.

How Many Years Do Furnaces Last?

On average, a furnace lasts between 18 and 25 years with proper, annual maintenance. That said, we’ve seen furnaces that have lasted longer than that thanks to regular inspections and excellent manufacturing. As you go into winter, keep in mind how old your furnace is. The closer it is to retiring, the higher your risk for a problem. Of course, new furnaces will also benefit from annual inspections. Many warranties on furnaces are voided if they aren’t maintained each year, so check with your manufacturer.

Replace Your Filter on Time.

We recently wrote an article about why it’s important to keep changing your furnace filter during the hot summer months. If you didn’t see our advice in time, that’s okay — there’s always next year. But with winter fast approaching, you need to make sure your furnace is running as efficiently as possible. Double check how often your furnace needs the filter replaced, and make a calendar reminder to help you remember. If your home has a lot of extra hair or dust, perhaps because of a large dog, you may need to change the filter more often. The manufacturer’s recommendation is the minimum.

Have Your Furnace Inspected.

The best way to know there aren’t any hidden problems with your furnace is to schedule an inspection. Not only will annual maintenance ensure your warranty is honoured if something goes wrong, inspections also help to save you money. Many small issues can be fixed affordably if they’re caught soon enough. A furnace inspection from our team can catch the little problems before they become big problems, and that means more money in your pocket and no worries in the middle of winter.

In Calgary, a furnace isn’t a luxury. If you want to make sure your home stays warm all winter long for decades to come, you need to give your furnace the care it deserves. Change your furnace filter on time and give the furnace experts at Plumbing Paramedics a call to schedule your inspection. Let our experienced team give you peace of mind.