We’re talking about heating maintenance! This service is one of the most important that you can schedule in your home this time of the year. We typically recommend that maintenance tune-ups for heating systems be done in the early fall, before you need your system the most. But it’s more important that you be consistent with these appointments, no matter the time of year.
And no, before you ask, heating maintenance isn’t something you can do on your own. It’s a job that requires experienced and highly trained HVAC professionals. Aside from changing out your air filter if you have a forced-air heater or making sure the area around your system is clean and free of obstructions, maintenance should be left to the pros.
Okay, nobody wants a furnace problem at all. But there is one in particular that should be avoided more than the rest due to the potential hazard it brings—and that is a cracked heat exchanger.
If you’re reading this now, it likely means you are facing an unexpected problem with your heating system. We’re sorry, we know that’s quite the inconvenience, to put it lightly. The good news is, when you work with our team, you can rest assured that you’ll be matched with a professional who knows a thing or two about heating systems and what the best course of action to take is with your heater.
It doesn’t mean anything good. No, your furnace is probably not going to explode. In fact, that’s not at all what’s going to happen. But a booming furnace, or a noisy furnace period, is a definite sign that you’re in need of a professional 
The gentle hum of your heating system as you start it up is, of course, nothing to be alarmed about. After all, you know the normal noises of your heating system, which means that you can typically tell when something is “off.” A strange noise doesn’t automatically mean you have a heating emergency on your hands, but it is definitely something to pay attention to, and call for 
With temperatures already taking a nosedive, now is not the time to be facing a broken down heater. Nevertheless, it might happen. Particularly if you had an aging heater and/or if you skipped maintenance for said heater. Of course, the first option is to schedule a 
With winter winding down but temperatures still keeping our furnaces on full-force for now, it’s the perfect time to take care of any small repair needs that might have cropped up, so that you’ll know your heater is fully functional for next year. Functionality is just part of the equation, however. You want to ensure your furnace is safe, too.
We hope that you scheduled your heating maintenance before the heating season began, just like you should be doing each and every year (or twice a year, if you have a heat pump). We also hope that when a professional recommends 
This probably goes without saying, but the middle of winter is likely the absolute worst time of the year to have your heating system develop issues. It’s also the time of year when heating issues are most likely to occur, due to the added strain they’re put under. If you can detect furnace problems early enough, you can have them repaired before they turn into a bigger emergency and potentially even a system breakdown.
There’s no denying that winter is here, and temperatures aren’t even at their coldest yet! Chances are though, you’re already using your heater on a daily basis. In the following weeks you’ll be putting a lot of strain on the system, so before you read any further, be sure to schedule maintenance if you haven’t done so already in the past year (or in the past 6 months, if you have a heat pump).
