I thought that being diligent about replacing air filters and cleaning supply and return vents was enough to keep our heating system operating respectfully. I believed that professional service was a waste of time and totally unnecessary. When our heating system quit and needed to be updated, I changed our opinion. My heating system was only eight-years-old when it failed completely. It malfunctioned during a December blizzard, when the outside temperature was down to negative twenty. The heating method was running just about non stop and struggling to keep up with demand. Because the condo felt frigid, I raised the temperature control setting several times. The lack of correct upkeep allowed a significant amount of dust, dander, insects and other debris to accumulate inside the heating system. This build up obstructed essential airflow, restricted moving parts and increased the strain on all components. Eventually, the heating system overheated and shut down. Fiddling with the temperature control, hitting the reset button and increasing the air filter did nothing to fix the problem. I had no choice however to hire a licensed HVAC company. The two of us couldn’t go without heat and I was worried about the water pipes freezing. Calling in the middle of the night meant paying extra for overtime service. The specialist tested the heating system and found a hairline crack in the heat exchanger. That didn’t sound all that serious. He then informed me that a new heat exchanger costs more than replacing the heating system. Apparently, the heat exchanger is the component that prevents carbon monoxide and other combustion gasses from entering the breathing air. It’s essential to safety. Because I had failed to keep up with service, our warranty would not cover any of the expense.