Regular furnace maintenance can be the difference between a furnace that lasts 20-25 years and rarely causes heating issues, and one that struggles to keep up for 12-15 years.
Annual furnace tune-ups make sense wherever you are, but in Calgary’s unpredictable and bitterly cold climate, they’re even more essential.
When should you schedule furnace maintenance in Calgary? How much does it cost? And how do you know when maintenance is no longer the best option and a replacement is needed?
These, and other questions about furnace maintenance, are answered below.
Best time to schedule furnace maintenance in Calgary
Natural Resources Canada recommends regular, professional maintenance to keep heating systems operating efficiently and safely but does not specify when maintenance should be scheduled.
In our experience, furnace maintenance at any time of the year can prevent a host of problems.
During the summer, of course, you’re more likely to run into cooling problems than heating issues. Furnace breakdowns can strike at any other time of year, though, so the best time to schedule maintenance with your HVAC company is usually just before the long heating season begins.
Most Calgary homeowners work their heating system very hard from late September through April. Temperatures can plummet well beyond -20C at any time beyond October, so any interruptions to furnace performance can be painful for households.
The ideal time to service a Calgary furnace, therefore, is late September or October, before the coldest temperatures start to bite. However, some homeowners either forget or prefer to have their furnace serviced at the end of the heating season in spring, after the system has gone through so much work.
Heating problems in mid-winter make an emergency tune-up or furnace repairs essential. Booking maintenance ahead of the winter can help you avoid emergency wait times.
However, furnace maintenance at any time prolongs system life, maintains safety, efficiency, and reliability, keeps bills down, and prevents minor heating issues from disrupting home comfort during winter.
Typical costs of winter furnace maintenance
If you haven’t booked furnace maintenance for the past 12 months and need to schedule a tune-up, typical costs in Calgary can vary based on:
- the type of furnace you have and whether or not you have a service plan and
- if any repairs are needed or additional parts of the HVAC system need checking.
Most Calgary homeowners prefer to pay the modest costs of maintenance and the basic efficiency fixes that result from service calls rather than the higher cost of emergency furnace repairs.
What’s included in professional furnace inspections?
During a professional inspection, a licensed technician will:
- Check ignition systems, burners, and safety controls.
- Inspect the heat exchanger (the most important part of a furnace) for cracks or corrosion.
- Inspect all bearings, belts, and lubrication points.
- Verify proper airflow and the condition of the HVAC filter for air quality and system efficiency.
- Test carbon monoxide levels, gas pressure, and flame stability for safety.
- Assess performance with temperature rise checks, blower calibration, and cycling efficiency checks.
- Calibrate the thermostat and inspect duct connections.
Many issues can be prevented by simply changing or cleaning dirty filters, which is the most common cause of furnace issues in Calgary homes.
Other, more serious, hazardous, and expensive issues can be prevented by professional inspections that flag and fix issues early on. For instance, technicians may recommend duct sealing or airflow adjustments to improve comfort levels in the home.
Common signs that furnace maintenance may be required
A furnace tucked away in the basement is no reason to neglect regular manual checks. Booking service calls should be set as reminders on calendars and smartphones, so that they are never missed.
Also, learning how to identify the early warning signs of furnace problems can help homeowners avoid having to foot the bill for expensive repairs or even a premature system replacement.
Inspect your furnace regularly to check for the following:
- Loud rattling or humming noises from your furnace.
- Uneven heating across different rooms of the home.
- Burning or dusty smells coming from the furnace.
- Unexplained increases in gas or electricity bills.
- Short or frequent heating cycles.
Considering a furnace upgrade?
Modern, well-maintained furnaces should last 15-20 years or more, even in Calgary’s demanding climate.
As a furnace ages past 10-15 years, repairs may be required. These can become increasingly expensive and, if so, a replacement furnace should be high on the list of home improvements.
Most Calgary homes run forced-air gas furnaces using natural gas. Furnace usage is often one of the major household contributors to energy bills throughout the year. So, even though natural gas rates are lower in Alberta than in most of the country, reducing these bills can result in significant savings.
New furnaces are more efficient than older systems and are designed to handle extremely low temperatures. Replacing an old system may sometimes be smarter than repairing it. The significant investment in a new system (many thousands of dollars) will be paid back over the years of efficient furnace performance.
When to consider a furnace replacement?
You’ll likely want to consider a furnace replacement if:
- Your unit is 15 years old or more.
- Your furnace requires frequent repairs or struggles in extreme temperatures.
- You notice unexplained increases in energy bills.
- Furnace performance is steadily declining.
- You want to increase energy efficiency in your home.
New furnaces offer greater reliability and efficiency, with improved airflow, quiet operation, and energy savings that can contribute to repaying the investment.
Book furnace maintenance now to avoid disruption
If you notice any of the warning signs with furnace performance, don’t wait until something goes seriously wrong before calling a professional.
Homeowners should act quickly to avoid disruption in the home, large repair bills, and more serious heating issues.
Annual maintenance (once a year minimum) will lead to steady heating performance, lower bills, fewer repairs, and a longer-lasting furnace.
If you’re in Calgary, our licensed professional HVAC team can help you maintain your furnace and prevent the most common heating problems. Call Pete the Plumber at (403) 257-1766 to arrange a visit.
Looking for a Calgary plumber?
For dependable home and business furnace services in and around the Calgary area, trust Pete the Plumber. Call (403) 257-1766 to schedule your service and keep your HVAC system running smoothly for years to come.