When warm weather arrives, it's easy to shut off your home's furnace and forget about it until the weather starts to get cold. Ignoring your furnace could lead to serious and costly issues. Being diligent about checking your furnace can save you time and money as summer turns to fall and you need to heat your home.  Here are 3 essential things you should be doing during the offseason to prevent costly HVAC repairs and ensure your home is a comfortable temperature year-round.

3 Tips For Offseason Heater Maintenance

1. Clean Your Furnace

Take a few minutes to inspect your HVAC system and the area around it. Move any boxes or debris that may be sitting nearby. Clutter too close to your furnace can create a potential fire hazard or block airflow needed to cool down your furnace. Once the larger objects are moved away, vacuum the floor around your furnace to remove dust and lint buildup from the winter months. Cleaning around your furnace prevents debris from collecting in or around the furnace that could result in the need for significant HVAC repair.

2. Schedule Maintenance

Summer is the perfect time to schedule annual routine maintenance on your HVAC system. Waiting until fall or winter to schedule maintenance could result in longer wait times for HVAC contractors due to high demand. During this check-up, a contractor will clean off the burners, check to ensure your belts aren't beginning to wear out, check for gas leaks, and more. This inspection will identify potential problems and alert you to them, so you aren't unprepared when furnace issues arise.

3. Plan HVAC Repairs

If you've been putting off HVAC repairs, summer is the time to check this off your to-do list. Due to lower demand, most HVAC contractors can schedule repairs less than a week out during the summer. If you believe something is wrong with your HVAC system, don’t wait until you need your furnace to schedule a repair. Minor issues can quickly become major issues if left unchecked. Schedule yearly repairs and maintenance to maintain your furnace's health.

Whether you need HVAC repairs or preventive maintenance for your heater, the experts at Riley-Armstrong Plumbing & Heating in Fort Dodge, IA, can help. This fully licensed team of professionals has been helping people with their HVAC and plumbing needs since 1989. They're committed to their customers and offer 24/7 emergency service should something break unexpectedly as well as affordable rates that won't break the bank. Visit them online or call them today to a free estimate at (515) 955-2232.