With the temperatures in Quebec, every household needs a reliable heating source. The cold season is long, and your heating system must keep you warm without fail. How do you know when it’s time to replace your furnace, and how can you maintain it to extend its lifespan? These are the questions this article will address.
Maintaining Your Furnace
Your gas supplier can offer an annual maintenance service, which should include an inspection, cleaning, and if needed, adjustment of the heating equipment. This is especially important for new models with intermediate or high efficiency since electronic safety devices and controls need regular checking. Whether your system operates on natural gas, propane, or oil, it is ideal to perform maintenance before the heating season. This way, you can prevent potential issues and stay warm throughout the winter. Typically, oil furnaces can be checked annually, and gas furnaces every two years. If a humidification module is included, it should also be cleaned annually. Cleaning the filters should be part of your yearly routine, as they are designed to capture dust and must be clean to perform adequately.
The Lifespan of a Furnace
The lifespan of your heating system largely depends on the maintenance you perform. It is recommended to perform necessary checks on an annual basis. Ideally, this should be done by a professional specializing in cleaning, maintenance, and burner tuning. This is both a safety and efficiency matter. Maintaining your heating system also involves replacing the oil tank when necessary. This is to prevent leaks, spills, or any other serious damage. The oil tank should be replaced every 25 years if it is indoors, and every 10 years if it is outdoors. Generally, a furnace has a lifespan of about 25 years, but it depends on your usage and the maintenance you provide. Additionally, as time goes by, it loses its efficiency. This means that a furnace that is 15 or 20 years old may still function, but it won’t have the same efficiency as a newer one.
If you have doubts about the performance of your heating system and are wondering whether you should replace it or not, it is best to call a professional. They can provide you with the right advice and estimate replacement costs if needed. They will also be able to offer a maintenance plan, so you won’t be caught off guard when the cold weather arrives.
