How often should I have my furnace serviced?

Your furnace should be serviced annually, ideally in early fall before the heating season begins. This timing ensures your system is ready for Ottawa's cold winters and helps prevent breakdowns when you need heat most.

Annual furnace maintenance is essential for several reasons. During a professional tune-up, a licensed technician will clean the heat exchanger, inspect the venting system, test safety controls, and check for carbon monoxide leaks. They'll also examine the blower motor, lubricate moving parts, and ensure proper gas pressure and combustion. This preventive care typically extends your furnace's lifespan by 3-5 years and maintains manufacturer warranties.

In Ottawa's climate, where furnaces run heavily from October through April, annual servicing becomes even more critical. Our technicians often find issues during fall tune-ups that could have led to mid-winter breakdowns - like cracked heat exchangers, blocked vents, or failing safety switches. The cost of annual maintenance ($150-$200) is minimal compared to emergency repairs or premature replacement.

Between professional services, homeowners should change furnace filters every 1-3 months depending on usage and filter type. Also watch for warning signs like unusual sounds, inconsistent heating, or higher energy bills, which may indicate your system needs attention before the next scheduled service.

Carbon monoxide safety makes annual inspections non-negotiable. A cracked heat exchanger or blocked vent can create deadly CO conditions. Only TSSA-licensed technicians should service gas furnaces, as they're trained to detect these potentially fatal issues.

For reliable annual furnace maintenance in Ottawa, consider scheduling your tune-up in September when HVAC contractors have better availability than during the busy heating season.