Our Alberta winters can be downright brutal, with your home’s heating system quickly becoming your knight in shining armor. But keeping warm, safe ...
Our Alberta winters can be downright brutal, with your home’s heating system quickly becoming your knight in shining armor. But keeping warm, safe and cozy doesn’t just happen by chance. It takes a little planning and care to ensure your furnace or heat pump are ready to take on winter’s worst.
In this ultimate guide to winter HVAC maintenance, the tune-up technicians at Action Furnace will share expert tips and tricks to keep your heating system running smoothly all season long!
Understanding Your HVAC System
Before we dive too deep into maintenance, it’s important that you’re familiar with your home’s heating system, whether that be a furnace or a heat pump, because maintenance can vary equipment option to equipment option. But don’t worry, for the purposes of this guide, we’re going to keep it pretty simple!
A Quick Furnace Rundown
Your furnace works by drawing in cold air, heating it through a burner, then circulating it throughout your homes via your ductwork. It’s equipped with key components such as a heat exchanger, a blower motor and a thermostat.
Furnaces come in natural gas, propane and even electric models depending on where you live and your unique needs.
When properly maintained, your furnace can handle even the most extreme winter temperatures.
And Now For The Heat Pumps
A heat pump is a versatile equipment option that can both heat and cool your home. During winter, it transfers heat from the outdoor air, to the inside of your home. It does this through the use of refrigerant cycles, compressors and coils.
Heat pumps are incredibly efficient and come in a couple different configurations depending on your needs. At Action Furnace we specialize in the installation of cold climate, air source and ducted heat pumps.
When properly maintained, your heat pump can provide reliable, year round comfort.
Pre-Winter Inspection
Any and all winter HVAC maintenance tasks should start with a comprehensive visual inspection of the furnace itself, the thermostat and duct work. This helps you sport red-flags early, and give our maintenance team areas to focus on.
Essential Maintenance Tasks - No Matter Your Equipment
No matter what your home relies on for heat, a few essential maintenance tasks are key to keeping your system running like new all winter long. These include:
- Filter replacement every 3 months.
- Check and adjust thermostat settings for winter.
- Checking and sealing ductwork.
- Cleaning interior and exterior components
Safety Checks
In addition to the basic tasks, safety checks are also a crucial component of seasonal maintenance. Our team will always check the following:
- Carbon monoxide detectors are operational.
- Equipment emergency shut offs are in place.
- Clearing of exhaust vents.
If you have any questions about our commitment to safety, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our dedicated customer service team is here to help put your mind at ease!
Special Considerations For Different Heating Systems
When you call in Action Furnace for your winter HVAC maintenance, you can rest assured you’re getting high-quality, dependable service every time.
Furnace Tune-Ups: What To Expect
A clean and well-maintained furnace will simply last longer and will require fewer repairs over its lifetime. Plus, annual maintenance can help save you money by reducing your energy bills.
Our industry leading tune-up service includes:
- Igniter performance
- Temperature heat rise
- Blower motor efficiency
- Complete safety check
- And gas pressure checks
Your tune-up can take anywhere between 1-2 hours depending on the complexity of your system. But no matter the timeframe, we’re dedicated to clean, efficient and respectful service.
Heat Pump Maintenance: The Inside Scoop
To keep your heat pump strong and efficient, our tune-up experts will:
- Clear debris around the outdoor unit
- Inspect and clean coils
- Check for leaks
- Test thermostat settings
A thorough heat pump tune-up will also take about 1-2 hours to complete. And our team will always keep you updated should we come across any issues, or components in need of repair.
Easily Stay On Top Of Annual Maintenance With Our Membership Program
No matter the type of heating equipment in your home, keep it running its absolute best, with prescheduled regular maintenance from Action Furnace’s Comfort Club, where we help make remembering tune-ups just a little bit easier!
For one low monthly price you’ll enjoy front of the line, priority service, 50% off diagnostic fees and 10% off any future repairs. Talk to your technician to learn more, or call our friendly customer service team!
Winter in Alberta doesn’t mess around, and when armed with this handy guide neither will you! By taking the time to inspect, clean and care for your equipment, you can keep your home warm, utility bills low, and your system running smoothly.
Whether it’s a quick visual check or calling in Action Furnace for a comprehensive maintenance service, you’re better prepared to tackle winter head on!
Action Furnace has been leading the HVAC service industry in customer experience since 1975, contact us today to learn more about our installation, repair and maintenance services. We offer the best warranties and guarantees in the industry, you can count on our team to give you honest advice, transparent pricing and quality service!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to replace furnace filters?
Yes, furnace filters must be replaced periodically to maintain peak performance. Ideally, this should be done every 3 months, because dirty filters slow down airflow and reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
How often should I schedule a furnace tune-up?
We recommend scheduling your furnace tune-up at least once a year. Our professional technicians will conduct a thorough inspection of your heating equipment to identify any issues and offer immediate, effective solutions.
Can I do a furnace tune-up myself?
While some simple maintenance tasks can be done DIY style, we strongly recommend calling our professional heating technicians to tune-up your furnace. We have the knowledge and tools necessary to complete maintenance tasks safely and efficiently.
How much does a furnace tune-up cost?
At Action Furnace we’re the home of the $149 furnace tune-up. Schedule yours today!
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