Your heater is critical to your home’s comfort and security. Every home must be prepared to withstand the freezing temperatures of the winter months. Your heater, like any other home appliance, has to be serviced regularly.

Temperatures will soon drop below zero degrees as October kicks into full gear and winter approaches. That implies it’s time to turn up the heat. It won’t be long before we’re running our heaters nonstop to keep our houses warm.

It’s a good idea to have your heater inspected if you haven’t done so recently, especially if you’ll be relying on it heavily. You don’t want it to break down on you in the middle of a cold spell. You never know when a furnace will break down due to a problem that could have been detected and addressed with routine maintenance.

Today, we’re here to help with more than a few tips on how often does your heater need to be inspected?

How Often Should Your Heater Be Inspected?

• Twice a Year
• Annually
• Every 2-5 Years
• Break-Fix Repairs

How often should your home’s heater be inspected? It is based on several factors. If your home uses a lot of heat, relies heavily on the heat in the winter, or has a sensitive heater design, you should get it inspected every six months.  This will make sure that your heater is inspected well on time so that it does not break when needed most.

We would propose annual heater inspections for the majority of folks in the early autumn or late spring. Annual heater checks ensure that your heater remains in good working order from year to year and that you never go more than a year without detecting a hidden issue.

Climate and Importance of the Heater

Climate has an impact on how often your heater has to be inspected. During the colder months of the year, the quantity of use, stress, and importance of your heater.

1.Cold Winters: Inspect Every 6-12 Months

Heaters are a necessary piece of household equipment in areas where it snows inches to feet every year and where yearly winter storms are normal. You should get your heater tested at least once a year, if not twice a year, to ensure that it is in good working order whenever you need it.

2. Mild Winters: Inspect Annually

Even though there is frost every winter, the heater is still necessary to keep the family safe throughout the seasonal cold. An annual inspection and maintenance are required for furnaces, gas heaters, and boilers, which are common in these areas. This guarantees that your heater is in good working order and ready to use again. Small faults, such as a clogged flue or a faulty seal, might endanger the entire house.

Every year, an annual check guarantees that your heater is safe to use whenever you require it.3. 

3. No Winter: Inspect Every 2-5 Years

Homes in warm climates with minimal winter have been constructed to use less heating. Electric-only heaters are commonly found in household HVAC systems, yet they are rarely used throughout the year. You should arrange an examination every two to five years in these climates, whether you think you need it or not.

In this situation, the inspection guarantees that your filter is clean, your cables are in good working order, and there isn’t too much dust in the system before turning it on for the winter.

The Type of Heater in Your Home

Some heaters require more maintenance than others. Boilers, gas heaters, and furnaces may all be risky if not properly maintained, therefore they should be inspected regularly to ensure that they are still safe to use. Summer inactivity, as well as heavy use during the winter, can cause a heater to fall into disrepair.

Electric heaters require less maintenance because they do not use volatile ingredients, but they still need to be inspected regularly to remove dust, check fans, and ensure the wiring and elements inside are in good working order.

Seasonal Safe Maintenance

Before Switching the Heater Each Year

Do you know how every year when you turn on the heating for the first time, it smells like burning dust? That is the most minor issue that the initial heat-up can cause. In the first cold month of the year, clogged flues, gad and pilot light troubles, silt in your boiler, and frayed wires can all lead to tragedy.

Getting an examination before you use the heater for the first time is a good idea to assure your safety and that the heat will be available when you need it.

Before Shutting Down the Heater in Spring

At the end of each cold season, some types of heaters (particularly older heaters) need to be turned off and maintained. Your furnace may be cleaned, examined, and turned off for the summer, so it’ll be ready to use again next fall. Before sitting idle for months, boilers can be cleaned of debris and oil accumulation.

Make Use of a Warranty

Some heater installations come with guarantees, and some even come with discounted or free maintenance for the first few years. Make use of these services if your warranty allows them. HVAC professionals provide these services for a reason: to keep your equipment performing at its best.

Benefits of regular inspection

1. Prevent Future Breakdowns

When you get your heater inspected, you are getting a thorough examination of your entire system, ensuring that any little issues that have arisen are addressed before they become major problems and breakdowns in the future.

2. Prolong the Lifespan of Your Furnace

Heaters are a significant financial investment, and you’ll want to get the most out of it by keeping them running as long as possible. Regular inspections and skilled maintenance will ensure that your heater lasts as long as possible. A well-maintained heater can last 10 to fifteen years when used with care.

3. Save money on energy

Heaters are only second to HVAC systems in terms of annual energy use. Regular inspections, on the other hand, can help you save up to 10% on your energy costs. In addition, well-maintained heaters are less likely to experience problems, which are costly to repair or replace.