A couple of years ago, my furnace quit in the middle of the night.
With an outdoor temperature down to negative twenty degrees, I needed to call for emergency repair. We couldn’t make it until regular business hours without heat. There was a very real possibility of the water pipes freezing and bursting. When the technician inspected the heating system, he told me that it was not fixable. The cost of the replacement parts was more expensive than the purchase price of a completely new furnace. He explained that the failure of the heater was due to a lack of maintenance. The buildup of dust and other debris within the system had caused longer run times and greater wear and tear on the components. Along with a new furnace, he strongly recommended that I invest into a maintenance plan. The plan includes a yearly service call where a technician thoroughly troubleshoots, cleans, tests and adjusts all aspects of the equipment. Any faulty parts are replaced, wires tightened and moving parts lubricated. The technician verifies the safety of the heat exchanger and accuracy of the thermostat. He tests the ductwork and ensures peak efficiency, safety and reliability of the entire heating system. This service fulfills the stipulations of the manufacturer’s warranty. If there should be a problem with the furnace, proof of maintenance is necessary for coverage. Plus, the maintenance plan provides priority scheduling and no fees for emergency scheduling. While the furnace is only a few years old, I believe regular upkeep will help to avoid repairs and extend its service life.