Routine Heating System Care: Prevent Costly Repairs with These Maintenance Tips

It’s easy to take our home heating systems for granted. We set the thermostat to a preferred temperature and expect that our homes will be cozy and comfortable. But without some simple preventive maintenance, a breakdown somewhere in the heating system is possible — even probable — and that’s the last thing we want when that polar vortex hits in the middle of winter.

Why is maintaining your heating system important? And what are some standard maintenance protocols to follow? Let’s explore the answers to these very questions below.

Why Regular Heating System Maintenance Matters

Routine maintenance of your home heating system is relevant to your wallet and your health. Here’s why it matters:

• Maintenance reduces the likelihood of expensive repairs.

No matter the type of heat in your home, servicing the component parts and appliances will help you keep the most common heating system problems at bay. Electric, gas, and central heating maintenance minimizes the possibility of breakdowns and malfunctions. And if a problem does arise, it’s more likely to be a reasonably cheap fix. 

• Maintaining your heating system extends the lifespan of the system’s component parts.

Well-maintained appliances last longer on average. If you stay on top of filter changes, heating system tune-ups, vent and duct sweeps, and other basic maintenance tasks, you’ll have a few extra years before you need to pay out of pocket to replace your boiler, furnace, water heater, or other expensive appliance.

• Keeping a functional heating system makes your home safer and cleaner.

Safety is a consideration as well, as efficient and well-kept heating appliances correlate with improved air quality and fewer safety concerns. Neglecting boiler heating system maintenance, for example, can lead to increased carbon monoxide levels or fire hazards. Inefficient burners can also introduce and circulate more particulate matter into your home, aggravating respiratory conditions and making your home feel stuffy.

• Routine maintenance keeps your equipment operating efficiently and reduces energy bills.

Neglected heating equipment is less efficient. It works harder and harder to achieve the same output over time, consuming more energy and driving up your bills.

• A healthy heating system makes for a more comfortable home.

Finally, basic maintenance can increase your home’s comfort level. Heating system neglect often results in uneven heating, so you’ll find rooms or pockets of your home that feel colder or draftier than others. There’s also, of course, the risk of a malfunction or breakdown taking you by surprise, leaving you to manage the chill while you wait for a technician to fix the problem.

Common Heating System Issues & Their Costs

Preventative maintenance can forestall the problems that commonly affect residential heating systems. To give you a better understanding of the saving potential of routine maintenance, here are some common problems and the average costs to fix them.

• Broken-down blower motor

The blower motor is the HVAC component responsible for pushing heated or cooled air throughout a home’s ductwork. If the motor is failing, you may notice that your system is short cycling or the airflow is unusually weak. 

A replacement blower motor isn’t wildly expensive, but labor costs can drive up the repair bill.

Cost to fix: $300 – $1,000

• Cracked heat exchanger

A heat exchanger facilitates the transfer of heat from one medium to another to supply a home with heat. If the exchanger is cracked, you may notice a buildup of soot, unpleasant smells, or recurring system malfunctions. There’s a danger of carbon monoxide as well, so a cracked exchanger should be remedied quickly.

Cost to fix: $2,000 – $4,000

• Leaky air ducts

Residential air ducts require tight seals to keep heated air from escaping. Aging or poorly maintained ducts may have small gaps throughout the system, decreasing the home’s heating efficiency and increasing energy bills.

The repair expenses associated with leaky ducts are largely dependent on the size of the system, how many leaks there are, and how accessible the leaks are to repair.

Cost to fix: $200 – $2,000+

• Obstructed air ducts

HVAC systems can also be impaired by clogged or otherwise obstructed ductwork. Dust and debris, pests, mold, and vent and register obstructions are all common reasons for airflow blockages.

Again, repair costs are variable. An easily accessible clog is a cheap fix, but more thorough heating system cleaning can be pricier.

Cost to fix: $200 – $1,000+

• Faulty wiring and electrical trouble

Electrical shorts, frayed wiring, power surges, tripped breakers, and faulty circuitry can all plague a home heating system. It’s best to address electrical issues as early as possible, when repair is reasonably affordable. Depending on the nature of the problem, letting an electrical issue persist can result in a total appliance failure, significantly ramping up the cost to repair the system.

Cost to fix: $200 – $800

Other common problems include clogged filters, worn seals and gaskets, loose valves, low boiler pressure, unresponsive sensors, and faulty igniters. These tend to involve less expensive repairs relative to the ones listed above.

How Preventative Maintenance Saves Money & Extends Lifespan

Preventive maintenance supports appliance efficiency and keeps small problems from snowballing into major appliance malfunctions. Think of it like maintaining a car by changing the oil, checking fluid levels, and replacing worn parts to extend the overall mileage.

Maintenance saves money in these key ways:

• Minimizing the frequency of appliance repairs
• Reducing the severity of problems when they do arise
• Reducing energy bills
• Extending appliance lifetimes and delaying the need for expensive replacements

Home Heating Maintenance Checklist

It’s a good idea to keep a checklist on hand to stay on top of the maintenance of your home systems and appliances. You can incorporate the items below into your fall or winter seasonal maintenance checklist.

• Clean or replace your air filters every one to three months. 
• Vacuum your vents and registers every couple of weeks. You can go three to five years between more thorough professional duct cleanings.
• Do a sweep of the house to ensure all vents and registers are not obstructed by furniture, rugs, curtains, or other furnishings.
• Check the thermostat batteries.
• Regularly inspect major heating appliances for signs of wear and tear or damage: unusual noises, corrosion, warped or deteriorating gaskets and seals, loose connections, fraying wires, fluid leaks, soot and grime.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once per month.
• Apply weatherstripping and employ other home insulation strategies to keep your heating appliances from working too hard.
• Schedule annual service check-ups.

When to Call a Professional for Heating System Maintenance

Residential heating systems are complex. Depending on the nature of the system, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical knowledge come into play. There are also safety hazards involved, from carbon monoxide dangers to burn risks. 

Some HVAC and water heating system maintenance tasks are straightforward enough for the average homeowner, and most people can follow some basic boiler, water heater, or furnace troubleshooting guides to get to the root of most problems that arise. But some repair and maintenance tasks call for the work of a professional. Here’s when it might be time to call in the pros:

• When dealing with natural gas, oil, or another fuel source 
• When electrical work is required beyond resetting breakers or securing protected connections
• When appliances are still under warranty (maintenance from anyone but licensed techs can void a warranty)
• If the carbon monoxide alarm has sounded
• If you can smell gas

How to Use Warranty Coverage to Maintain Your Home Heating System

When the occasion does arise for a professional tech to repair some element of your heating system, you don’t necessarily have to pay out of pocket. If you have active warranty coverage, you can submit a claim to arrange a service call, paying only a service fee that is a fraction of the actual cost of repair. If you’ve maintained your appliances appropriately, you’ve already realized substantial savings. Warranty coverage offers even additional financial advantages — along with the convenience and peace of mind of guaranteed expert service.

Liberty Home Guard’s highly rated coverage options go far beyond heating systems. We can also provide protection for your plumbing and electrical systems and your major home appliances. Home services are on the table as well, from gutter cleaning and window washing to pest control and TV mounting. Learn more about how partnering with us can simplify homeownership and alleviate the stress of home budgeting, maintenance, and repair. Call (833)-543-9700.