In general, a furnace should be properly cleaned at least once a year. This will not only make your HVAC system efficient and long-lasting, but it will also protect your ducts from becoming filthy and dispersing dust and grime throughout your home.
However, depending on your location, your furnace’s age, number of household members or pets, your furnace system may require more upkeep. So when should you clean or service your furnace? Here are the top five indicators:
The Top Five signs That Your Furnace Needs Cleaning
1. Unexplained Rise in Utility Bills
If your furnace’s fuel efficiency has dropped, it probably needs a good cleaning, and in the worst-case scenario, it’s reaching the end of its life. If you ignore this issue, you’ll risk paying for an unnecessary expense. If you need to replace your furnace, current models are much more efficient than they may pay for themselves far faster than you might anticipate.
2. The Flame isn’t Blue Anymore
Many of these “signs” aren’t in black and white, but the color of your furnace’s flame is a good indicator.
If your furnace is working correctly, the flame should be blue. If it’s yellow or orange, the gas and oxygen balance is wrong. This might be due to a filthy burner. Therefore a thorough cleaning is in order.
3. Accumulation of Indoor Dust
When dust, mold, or filth is in your furnace or ducts, it all enters your home. You may find that you need to dust more frequently or that the air smells musty. Even in the cold, you may have allergy problems. If this is the case, a simple furnace cleaning can improve your interior air quality.
4. Thermostat Doesn’t Work
If your building is constantly cold and turning up the thermostat doesn’t help, you may have leaking ducts that allow the furnace to lose all of the warm air it produces. Alternatively, there might be an ignition problem causing the furnace to not switch on at the correct time.
5. Your Furnace Smells Funny
If you smell rubber, smoke, or oil when your furnace is on, it’s probably time to clean it. Allowing these odors to persist without cleaning might lead to dangerous material and health hazards.
It’s common to smell dust when you switch on your furnace, so don’t be alarmed.
How Much Does a Furnace Cleaning and Servicing Cost?
Cleaning Costs
Most households pay between $100 and $300 for a furnace checkup and cleaning. If you want your ducts cleaned, expect to pay an additional $250-$500. Homeowners that only want their furnace examined and not tuned up or cleaned often spend between $50 and $100. The following services are often included in a furnace cleaning package:
- Cleaning the inside of fans and cabinets
- removing rust and soot from various components
- Changing the filter
Service Costs
A typical property owner spends $289 on furnace maintenance. The average homeowner spends between $131 and $458. Expect to pay approximately $300 if you have an electric furnace. Because gas furnaces are more complicated, the cost of repair might range from $375 to $1,200.
Conclusion
Keeping your furnace clean can help you avoid or postpone severe and costly problems. However, to avoid the difficulties outlined above, you must maintain a consistent cleaning schedule. We recommend that you get your furnace cleaned professionally at least once a year.
If you’re searching for the answer to “furnace repair near me,” you’ve come to the right place! Air 1 LLC has a team of HVAC experts who can do the job, providing you utmost professionalism and convenience. Check out our wide array of services and get in touch with us today!