As summer comes to an end and the weather gets a bit cooler, it is the ideal time to pay a little attention to your heater. Fall is not only about getting back-to-school and dropping leaves but it’s also the best time to schedule your HVAC maintenance. At Boyle Energy, we always tell our customers how preventative maintenance saves homeowners grief by decreasing repair costs when the coldest months of the year are upon us.
Why Fall Is The Best Month For Heater Maintenance?
The season when the weather is cool, but not freezing, is the perfect time for our technicians to perform a full inspection and tune-up of your heating system. This time of year allows us to:
- Run the system safely while avoiding any potential stress with extreme winter loads.
- Thoroughly observe combustion, airflow, and electrical connections to make sure they are operating as they should.
- Make any small adjustments or replace parts before heavy use begins.
The primary benefit of having your service in the Fall is ensuring your heater is prepared and ready for winter use. This can help you prevent your heater from breaking down before the first real cold snap of winter when heating breakdowns commonly occur, and repair calls start spiking.
Maintenance vs. Repair: What’s The Difference?
A common question homeowners have is how HVAC maintenance differs from HVAC repair.
- Maintenance is preventative. Think of maintenance like the yearly inspection of your vehicle. Our crew checks the draft to cut the chances of combustion gas venting into the environment, replaces filters for better airflow, cleans burners, and visually checks electrical components for wear. This service is aimed at catching issues early.
- Repair is reactive. This is when your system has already failed, typically on the coldest January day, when the demand for heat is the highest.
- Emergency repairs can be expensive, especially after-hours and on holidays. Fall heater maintenance helps mitigate the risk of those unplanned (and costly) emergency calls.
How Maintenance Helps to Prevent Breakdowns and Reduce Bills?
A professional heater tune-up isn’t just to prevent a breakdown; it’s also about ensuring your system runs more efficiently thereby improving its energy performance. When burners are cleaned, airflow is unobstructed, and electrical components are functioning properly, your system is able to operate better and cycle more efficiently. That means:
- *Lower natural gas and electricity bills.
- *Less wear and tear on your system.
- *Longer life span for your heating equipment.
When seasonal maintenance is skipped, longer run times, higher utility costs, and premature system failure are expected outcomes.
Signs that you may be due for Fall Heater Maintenance
Not sure if you need to schedule a service call? Watch out for these signs:
- Strange noises from your furnace, or blower.
- Odd or burning smells when you kick on the heat.
- Your system is 10-15 years old or you have no idea when it was installed.
- Your energy bills have risen, compared to the last fall/winter.
Being proactive about your heating needs before winter can save you time, energy, and money.
Ensure your home stays cozy with our expert Havertown HVAC service and tune-up
Experience unparalleled comfort year-round!
Why a Maintenance Plan is Valuable?
At Boyle Energy, we always recommend becoming a maintenance plan member, in order to experience peace of mind all year long. Below is a list of what is included in our maintenance plan:
- Safety seasonal tune-ups (fall & spring).
- Priority scheduling – you are moved to the front of the line when other emergencies happen.
- Discounts on repairs and parts.
- Waived diagnostics fees on hvac service calls.
- Complete history tracked to resolve your issues faster and more accurately.
We have multiple customers that are on maintenance plans, who never have to worry about “waiting in line,” when the first cold snap hits.
Real-world examples: It matters
Every year, around Halloween, is typically when our first major cold snap arrives. At that point, our technicians were receiving 15–20 service calls just that weekend. We provided priority service to customers with maintenance plans, whereas non-maintenance plan customers.would have to wait hours or days to get the same service.
We sometimes receive emergencies on holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve). A cracked heat exchanger or failed component could typically have been identified and repaired weeks prior, preventing a situation where you have no heat during family gatherings on the holidays. What a stressful situation for families!
Final thoughts
Your heating system is one of the hardest working machines in your home, running 80–85% of the year compared to other appliances. Just like your car, your heater needs regular inspections and preventative maintenance to ensure it runs safe, efficient, and reliable.
Fall is the best time to schedule your heater maintenance service or sign up for a preventative HVAC maintenance plan with Boyle Energy. You’ll save money on energy bills, increase the life of your system, and have peace of mind knowing that your home stays warm all winter long.
Call Boyle Energy today to schedule your fall HVAC maintenance and get ahead of winter!
Ensure your home stays cozy with our expert Havertown HVAC service and tune-up
Experience unparalleled comfort year-round!
Patrick Boyle brings over three decades of expertise to Boyle Energy, carrying forward a family legacy that began with his grandfather, Joseph Boyle Sr., the company’s founder. With extensive technical proficiency, Patrick holds advanced certifications in both oil and HVAC systems, ensuring the highest standards of service and performance. Additionally, he is recognized as an NPGA-certified propane service professional, underscoring his commitment to safety and industry best practices. Under his leadership, Boyle Energy continues to deliver reliable and efficient energy solutions, grounded in generations of trust and innovation.
