Even in Louisiana, heating systems need care so that they’ll work as well as possible when we need them. It’s true that they aren’t used as much as the heating systems of our distant neighbors in Minnesota or Maine, but dusty disuse can cause problems, too. Without proper maintenance, heating systems can develop problems that require costly repairs or even cause safety hazards! Here’s how maintenance helps.
Cleaning
That dusty disuse from sitting there all year is no joke! Layers of dust act like insulation. They block airflow. They cause motors to overheat. Grit and grime work their way between moving parts. They create friction, heat, and wear and tear. And there’s another important reason to get all the components and crevices of your heating system meticulously cleaned: visibility.
Once all the mess is completely cleaned away, it’s easy for your technician to see every bit of your heating system. That helps them to move on to the next step in the maintenance process.
Inspecting
Is anything coming loose, out of place, or off-kilter? Your technician will adjust and tighten it. Is anything wearing out or on the verge of falling apart? Your technician will replace it. This will fix all sorts of tiny things long before they have a chance to develop into real problems, which is part of why having maintenance done will reduce your risk of needing heating repair this winter by 85%.
There are parts of the system that create heat (like the burners or heating elements) and parts that distribute the heat (like blower fans and the motor that powers them). But there are also components that have the sole purpose of ensuring your safety, like the flame sensor and the limit switch. During maintenance, your technician will closely inspect these components, as well as things like gas lines, helping to keep you and your family safe.
Testing
All heating systems have some electrical components, whether they also burn natural gas or not. And electrical components can cause safety hazards or serious repair needs if things go wrong. Testing must be performed to make sure connections are tight and everything is accurately calibrated and drawing the right amount of power.
Lubricating
Friction is terrible for your heating system. It leads to overheating. It contributes to wear and tear. It forces the system to work harder, so it will consume more energy and drive your bills up. And it makes it so that individual components—and the system overall—won’t last as long. But in order to function, furnaces must have moving parts.
That’s where lubricant comes in. The motor, which powers the blower fan, has bearings inside which must stay lubricated so they don’t grind against each other. And the fan itself also has moving parts that need to be able to glide smoothly. Just a few drops of lubricant precisely applied to the exact right spots will make all the difference.
Once you’ve had heating maintenance in Mandeville, LA, your system will be more efficient. It will provide more even and cozy heat. It will be unlikely to need repairs, and more likely to last longer. And you and the people you care about will be warm and safe all winter long.