Should I Have My Furnace or Boiler Cleaned?

Should I Have My Furnace or Boiler Cleaned?

As the weather cools and the Toledo Area changes from an Air Conditioning to Heating mindset many questions surface.   Many folks in Toledo wait till they have a problem, then call for service.  Many times this ends up costing them more than it should.

1. Should I have my furnace cleaned or should I have my boiler cleaned?
2. If so, why?
3. Should I replace my old furnace or should I replace my old boiler?
4. If so why?

These are important questions that need answers.  So let break them down one by one.

1. Should I have my furnace or boiler cleaned?
   Answer:  A resounding YES.
2. Why?
   Answer:  Safety, Efficiency and to maximize performance from and to maximum the life of your equipment.

1 & 2 Are questions customers often ask us about, especially when a competitor tells them they do not need to do maintenance.  So we want to provide more information to explain our position and avoid the look of “our opinion vs. theirs” and to show a fact based response.

• Green & Save ~ 20 years in the ‘Green’ energy saving market dedicated to helping Americans grow stronger and maintain our high standard of living, and serve as better stewards of the environment.
  – “An annual inspection and tune-up of your heating system is a good idea to ensure both the efficiency and safety of your heating system”
• Columbia Gas of Ohio ~ Utility Company
  – “Have appliances installed by a professional, and carefully follow manufacturer instructions” /  “Equipment should be inspected regularly by a professional heating contractor”
• Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) ~ The trusted efficiency rating source of heating and air-conditioning equipment.
  – ”Have your furnace cleaned and checked every year by a qualified heating contractor. This should be done twice a year prior to the onset of the heating and cooling seasons”
• Lennox ~ Manufacturer of furnace & air conditioners
  – “a home comfort system should be regularly inspected by a qualified technician”
• Trane ~ Manufacturer of furnace & air conditioners
  – “For a system that heats and cools: perform maintenance in the spring and fall”  /  “For heating only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the heating season”
  
• Amana ~Manufacturer of furnace & air conditioners
  – “Maintenance and service play a key role in the life-cycle of a heating or air conditioning system. If all recommended maintenance and service actions are taken, an air conditioner can last 12 to 15 years and a gas furnace 20 to 25 years” 
• UL Underwriters Laboratory ~ Safety Rating & Standards Agency
  – “The most important steps are preventive. Have a qualified service professional inspect your fuel-burning appliances at least once a year”

They all agree that it should be done even though they have never earned one dollar for performing or suggesting or requiring routine maintenance on heating and air conditioning systems.

THE REAL QUESTION IS:  Why would someone tell you not to?

Moving next

3. Should I consider replacing my old furnace or should I consider replacing my old boiler?
   Answer:  Yes
4. Why?
   Answer:  Heat is not an option. You can’t decide to go without it because it’s the holiday season or you have a great vacation planned.The heat must work every winter and all winter.  So don’t let it it hang over you waiting to create an inconvenience for you.

Points to consider for new equipment

• High efficiency furnace & boilers
  • Saves you money on gas bills, available up to 98% efficient.
  • Saves you money on electric bills, with increased efficient and or variable speed motors.

• Increased comfort
  • Air flow improvements and sound reduction with new blower technology.
  • Steady heat with two-stage or modulating technology.

• Warranties
  • Saves you money
  • Gives you piece of mind

• Breakdown concerns
• See warranties

• Financing plans available
  • Makes planning easier

• Your old equipment offers
  • Furnace Repairs or Boiler Repairs
  • No parts warranty
  • No labor warranty
  • Parts availability issues
  • Age and condition, means most parts are same age, so they can fail in series over a season or two causing you to “through good money at bad” that would have better served you toward new equipment.