If you have a furnace, there are many services it may need in order to stay in good working condition. The more you maintain your furnace, the longer it will last and stay effective. Some maintenance you can do on your own, but other tasks should be handled by professionals. If you would like to know more, check out these three heating services for your furnace and if you need professional assistance.

1. Regular Tune-Ups

Regular tune-ups should be performed a little before the cold season, so you know your furnace won't break down in the middle of winter, but you can have the system serviced any time of year. This service should be performed by a professional because there is a lot that can go wrong.

During a tune-up, the technician will likely start by cleaning the system. This alone can fix many problems, especially if dust and debris have gathered on the heating element or gotten clogged in the blower. Next, the technician will examine the blower and heating element to ensure they are in good condition.

Any connections are checked, and voltage and wires are examined. The technician will clean the condensate drain if needed, and they will test the system to ensure it is working. They may also test carbon monoxide levels.

2. Duct Repair and Cleaning

Your furnace uses ducts and vents to send the heated air throughout the home, and these also need to be cleaned and examined. You can clean vents yourself with a home vacuum. Keeping the vents clean ensures you're getting enough heat. Plus, clogged vents could put more strain on the system because they can't push out the air as easily as they should. Don't forget to clean a little into the ducts.

To clean all your ducts, however, you will need to hire a professional because they have the tools needed to reach every inch of the duct. Clogged ducts can make the system work harder. The dust works like inflammation in the lungs. The more inflammation, the harder it is to breathe. Similarly, the more dust in the system, the harder the system needs to work to "breathe."

During these cleanings, the technician will also look for damage. Damage can occur for many reasons. Wear and tear may cause some parts of the ducts to separate, but you can also puncture the vents on accident with nails or screws.

3. Filter Change

Your filter should also be changed regularly, but it needs to be done a lot more than a tune-up or duct cleaning. This is something you can do on your own, but you need to determine what type of filter you have. Some filters need to be tossed and replaced but others can be washed and reused. Some filters, like HEPA filters, are also more effective at grabbing small particles.

A furnace is a great way to heat your home because they are effective and fast. However, if you neglect your furnace, it can break down faster and become less effective. If you would like to know more, contact an HVAC tech in your area today.