Do you get annual furnace inspections? (how much, furnaces, AC, electric heat)
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Someone recently asked me if I hired a furnace inspector each year. They acted surprised when I said no. I never had any issues with my furnaces in any home, and never paid for an inspection either (unless the inspection was for a home sale and that is another topic).
The person who acted surprised and told me that "everyone does" then admitted that they don't get one either...I think I only know 1 person who pays for this each year.
I have a service/maintenance contract with my fuel oil supplier which covers a yearly inspection, parts replacement and burner tune-up. Oil furnaces are a bit more involved than natural gas ones.
If you have natural gas mostly all you need to do is change the filters.
Not annual, but I know when mine was new, which was not that long ago, about 5-6 years. After a few years I got it checked and cleaned, and I'm going to get another one this fall. It's a natural gas furnace. It only costs like 70 bucks or something.
If the thing was old and I didn't know how much it was cared for, I probably would get it annually. That is how I caught a problem with my old furnace.
Yes, always. We depend on it, and it is one less thing to worry about. Also, come wintertime, if the heat goes out we get faster service because of our maintenance contract. Never have to worry about the furnace - it's a good thing.
With oil definitely yes. It seemed worth it, and preferable to a failure on a Friday night on a holiday weekend or when we were away for a few days. I believe it also helps improve efficiency/performance.
With gas (have had both natural and propane over the years) only every 5 or more years, maybe never. Check with manufacturer recommendations/manual etc. if a question.
With our old oil fired furnace a yearly inspection was required by our home owners insurance policy..
Even if it werent required it certainly makes for a wise move as things can happen with an oil fired furnace and its venting system that can ruin your day if things go wrong..
The annual inspection was performed by a technician who worked as a subcontractor for the oil company, cost around $125..
We've since switched to electric heating, much cheaper and safer and quieter in my opinion....
I get my HVAC system serviced/checked fall for the gas furnace and spring for the AC. They system is now 19 years old and running fine, but since it is older I feel it is best to get it checked over, plus it is a brand that is sometimes known to be of questionable quality (Goodman). Service plan is under 130 per year and includes a 20% discount if any parts are needed.
Didn't vote as there was no option for every other year. We occasionally have winters here where the furnace never comes on. It may get into the 40's at night but the 80's during the day so it's not required for the furnace to run. Most often Christmas will find us in T-shirts and the A/C running. Rarely though do folks here have the gas furnaces checked.
I did the first year since it was part of the purchase. But not since. It's 3 years old. I do buy my own filter (replaced annually) and humifier water panel (also replaced annually) and since it's so new, I think I'm fine. The mark-ups on the filter and water panel are substantial when ordered through the furnace maintenance company. So I'd rather buy them myself and replace them myself.
Yes, but I have no idea about what other people do.
I have an oil furnace, and if you don't have them cleaned at least every other year they just don't work right.
I blew off last year's cleaning because I knew I'd be getting a new furnace at some point during the season.
When I had a gas furnace/central air, I had the AC tuned up annually, but the gas furnace cleaned only every other year when the furnace was still relatively young; after it was about 10 years old I had it cleaned every year.
I have never purchased a service plan; they seem like a ripoff and the company I use is very quick to respond when you have a problem.
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