Yearly Furnace - Boiler Maintenance - Is it really necessary?

    Living here in the Northeast, you can’t escape running a furnace in the winter. With the exception of electric heat, most rural area residents use either propane gas or home heating oil to run their heating equipment. Burning any type of fuel requires maintenance on the dwelling owner.

    Experts resoundingly agree that a yearly maintenance program helps keep your equipment working at optimal performance. Many equipment manufacturers require yearly maintenance as part of the warranty. By not having this performed, could invalidate your warranty.

    Another reason to have your equipment serviced annually is to make sure you’re getting the maximum efficiency from each gallon of fuel you burn. A dirty furnace/boiler uses more fuel to make heat than a clean one. Most modern oil furnace have annual fuel utilization efficiencies (AFUE) between 80 to 90 percent, with an average of about 85%. A high efficiency propane system, on the other hand, ranges between 90 to 98 percent efficient.

    Among parts that get replaced or cleaned include the fuel filter and nozzle on oil fired units. Propane units typically have their burners & pilot assembly cleaned as well as ignition components. Combustion chambers are inspected and checked for cracks or leaks. The heat exchanger and flue pipes on either unit are cleaned too.

    Combined Energy Services offers service contracts for both oil and propane gas units. We can also schedule appointments with our customers who choose not to have a service contract. Give use a call today at 800-874-1975 or complete the service request form found here.