How Often Should You Have Your Heater Inspected?
Your heater is essential to the comfort and safety of your home. Every home needs to be equipped to handle the cold temperatures of the winter months. And just like any home appliance, your heater requires periodic maintenance. Your heater should be kept clean inside and out, and many should be inspected to ensure their safe operation inside your home.
With the cold weather upon us, how often should your heating be inspected and maintained? Here are some tips on timing your inspections and maintenance to get the best value for your home.
When to Inspect Your Heater
How frequently a heater should be inspected in your home depends on a few things. If you’re a “power user”, using a great deal of heat, or you have a “finicky” heater, then having an inspection done every six months is prudent. This will help ensure any and all problems are spotted early enough to prevent future issues.
For most homes however, an annual inspection is recommended, with scheduling in late spring or early autumn. Annual inspections will maintain a good working condition for your heater, and you’ll never go a year without discovering a problem in the making.
Inspection by Climate
How often you should inspect a heater should also be influenced by your climate. Each climate varies the level of use and stress during cold months.
- Cold Winters: Every 6-12 Months
- Mild Winters: Annually
- No Winter: Every 2-5 Years
Heater Types
There are some heaters that need more maintenance than others. Gas Heaters, Furnaces, and Boilers can be potentially dangerous when neglected. They should all maintain a regular inspection schedule to ensure they remain safe to operate. Constant use during winter, and dormancy in the summer may allow these appliances to fall into disrepair.
An eclectic heater does require less maintenance the those mentioned above due to their lack of volatile materials, though should still be regularly inspected for dust, fan rotation, and wire integrity.
Seasonal Maintenance
Before Turning On the Heater Each Year
If you’re getting a burnt dust smell when you turn your heater on for the first time in the year, that’s caused from clogged flues, gas and pilot issues, or sediment build up. Take this signal to get your heater inspected before it turns into a larger problem late in the winter months.
Before Shutting Down the Heater in Spring
Some heaters should be shut down and maintained when the spring arrives and warmer temperatures arrive. Clean out your furnace and have it checked so that it’s ready for the next season. Boilers should be cleared of debris and all oily suit should be removed before sitting unused. Older appliances should be inspected for wear and tear.
Make Use of a Warranty
Some heater installations are covered with warranties, and may even include discount or complimentary maintenance for the first couple years of ownership. If your warranty offers these services, make use of them. HVAC pros offer these services for a reason, to keep your appliance working at it’s best possible performance.
If you’d like more advice on heater maintenance or to schedule an inspection for your home heating system, contact us today.
