No matter what type of heating system you have, it’s important to get it checked on a regular basis, likely every two years or less. In particular, gas heaters are particularly important to get checked regularly because they have a limited lifespan – usually around 15 years. And a gas leak in your home can have fatal consequences.
What Components Should I Check?
When getting a gas heater furnace checked, there are some important components to make the flue, burner and gas pressure, heat exchanger, thermostat, regulator, fan, air filters and any hoses. It’s also standard procedure to complete a full cleaning as well as a carbon monoxide test. Carbon monoxide leaks are most frequently caused by a crack in the heat exchanger, so it’s important to check for any sign of degradation there.
How Often Should I Check My Heating System?
Because of the danger of a possible carbon monoxide leak, Mannix recommends having your central system serviced once every 12 months. It’s actually a legal requirement for landlords. Regular service (even twice a year) ensures boilers and radiators stay in good shape. Your family’s wellbeing is not something you want to risk.
Regular Maintenance Keeps You Safe & Saves You Money
Not only does regular maintenance prevent a life-threatening situation, it also makes sure the system is running at peak efficiency so you’re not throwing your money away due to a poorly performing central heating system. A regular annual maintenance schedule is a good idea, but it doesn’t hurt to have it examined directly after installation, as sometimes there are problems with new boilers (rare, but possible).
How do I Know If My Heating System Requires Maintenance?
With gas systems, there are a number of items you can keep an eye out for yourself. These include any kind of orangeish sooty flame, soot accumulating around the heater, a pilot light that blows out frequently, signs of heat damage such as discoloured walls, or if the wall is too hot when the appliance is on, and any eye irritation when near the unit. Crucially, if you can smell gas, immediately leave the area and call a maintenance man. If it’s safe to do so, turn off the gas meter and open doors and windows to prevent the leak from spreading.
One of the issues with ducted heating and cooling systems is that dust builds up slowly in the home through the fans, inlets and outlets of the system. This results in the fan having to work harder, with the overall system’s effectiveness being reduced. To circumvent this, it’s important to regularly clean the fan assembly to prolong its life.
A general good rule of thumb is to have your ducted air circulation system cleaned and maintained once a year. But after two years, it’s recommended to change the filter sock replacement. It may be recommended to be replaced sooner if it is particularly clogged.
If it hasn’t been a year, but you notice any of these red flags, it’s time to call a professional.
Some Things To Keep In Mind
- Any mould growing in or around the ducts needs to be addressed immediately. Even if you can’t see it, mould has a distinctive smell.
- If the ducts are full of dust and it’s being released in the home.
- In some cases ducts may be inhabited by rats, mice or insects, which can negatively affect performance and lead to further issues.
If your system is maintained regularly, you’ll save money, time, and most importantly, ensure your family is safe.
