If you're like most people, you don't think about your furnace once spring arrives. Unfortunately, that might not be the best approach to take, especially if you want to make sure your furnace is ready for use next winter. To give your furnace the protection it needs, you should actually schedule at least one maintenance call during the summer. Here are four reasons why mid-summer furnace maintenance is so important.
Watch for Pest Activity
If you deal with pest problems as soon as the weather warms up, you need to be concerned for your furnace, especially if your furnace is locked away in your attic. Mice, squirrels, and other pests may find your attic to be the perfect nesting location during those long, hot summer months. Because your furnace is turned off during the warm months, it can provide the perfect hiding spots for pests. Unfortunately, while they're hiding in the furnace, they may be chewing on the wires. A summer inspection will help identify potential pest damage.
Inspect for Water Damage
If you experience significant rain storms during the spring and summer, and your roof starts to leak, your furnace may be at risk for water exposure. Unfortunately, water exposure can lead to increased rust and corrosion on your furnace, which can pose a serious threat. If your roof leaks, don't ignore your furnace just because it's turned off for the season. Schedule a maintenance call to inspect for water damage.
Check the Pilot Light
If you usually keep your pilot light lit throughout the year, summer is the perfect time to schedule a mid-year maintenance appointment. Those extended periods of dormancy can cause problems for your pilot light. The mid-year maintenance will allow your HVAC technician the opportunity to check for problems that might pose a service problem for your furnace, and a safety risk for you and your family.
Test the Belts and Hoses
If you normally experience long, hot summers, where the temperatures routinely hit the triple-digit range, your furnace should have a check up once things start to heat up. The excess heat can cause problems for the belts and hoses that are connected to your furnace. Unfortunately, belts and hoses that are heat damaged can fail as soon as you try to use your furnace next winter. The best way to avoid that problem is to schedule a maintenance appointment during the summer. That way, those heat-damaged components can be replaced before winter arrives again.
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