Furnace, Boiler or Heat Pump: What Kind of Maintenance Cleaning Does Your Heating System Actually Require?

Regular maintenance of heating systems is an absolute must to ensure energy efficiency, longevity, and safety. At AirGreen, we provide daily service throughout the Greater Montreal Area, including Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and South Shore, offering professional cleaning services for furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps. But do you really know what type of maintenance your system needs? This comprehensive guide will help you understand the specific needs of each unit, common mistakes to avoid, and the real solutions we implement during our service calls.

Why Maintenance Needs to Be Tailored to the Equipment

Not all heating systems are the same — in how they function or what they require in terms of upkeep. Yet many homeowners go for a one-size-fits-all cleaning approach or, worse, completely neglect this crucial step.

Furnace: Annual Cleaning Is Essential to Prevent Breakdowns

Whether it runs on natural gas, oil, or electricity, a furnace works by blowing hot air through a duct network. These systems quickly accumulate dust, fine particles, and in the case of gas or oil, combustion residue.

At AirGreen, our furnace maintenance service includes:

• Inspection and cleaning of the burner and heat exchanger

• Verifying the air output temperature

• Replacing or cleaning the air filters

• Testing electrical components (thermostat, relays, etc.)

• Checking the carbon monoxide levels to ensure safety

We recently serviced a Lennox furnace in Boucherville, on the South Shore, which had unusually high gas consumption. After a full burner cleaning and fine-tuned airflow adjustment, we reduced the client’s heating bill by nearly 20%.

Boiler: In-Depth Cleaning of the Hot Water System

Boilers, whether for hot water or steam, require more technical, specialized cleaning—especially in the combustion chamber, pipes, and circulating pumps. Poor maintenance can cause lime scale buildup, pressure drops, or overheating.

Our service includes:

• Descaling the coil or heat exchanger

• Inspecting the safety valve and expansion tank

• Bleeding the radiators to release trapped air

• Checking the circulator pump and room thermostat

In a multi-unit building in Laval, we recently worked on a Weil-McLain steam boiler with partially clogged pipes due to mineral buildup. A half-day service was enough to restore full operation and significantly improve heat distribution across all floors.

Heat Pump: Dual-Season Cleaning for Heating and Cooling

Heat pumps, whether ductless or central, require bi-seasonal maintenance: once before summer (cooling mode), and again before winter (heating mode). These systems are highly sensitive to the buildup of dust, mold, and reduced efficiency in heat exchangers.

Here are the steps of our full heat pump cleaning:

• High-pressure cleaning of both the indoor unit (evaporator) and the outdoor unit (condenser)

• Checking refrigerant levels

• Disassembling and cleaning the blower wheels

• Inspecting the condensate drains

• Testing energy efficiency based on the model specs

Real example: in Saint-Eustache on the North Shore, we recently cleaned a Bosch BOVA central heat pump, 36,000 BTU, installed in a home. The client contacted us due to a drop in performance and musty odors. After a full dismantling and antibacterial treatment, the indoor air quality was immediately restored.

Common Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

Despite advice, many homeowners make mistakes that hurt their system’s performance:

• Waiting for a breakdown before doing maintenance

• Only cleaning the filters without inspecting internal components

• Using improper or abrasive cleaners on coils

• Forgetting about the outdoor unit (for heat pumps)

• Hiring uncertified or inexperienced technicians

At AirGreen, all our technicians are certified and trained to service all major brands: Goodman, Lennox, Bosch, Trane, Arcoaire, Fujitsu, Gree, and many others.

What Are the Real Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance?

Regular HVAC maintenance isn’t an expense — it’s a smart investment. It allows you to:

• Cut your energy bills by up to 25%

• Extend the lifespan of your equipment

• Improve your indoor air quality

• Prevent costly breakdowns

• Ensure safety (especially for combustion-based systems)

We’ve observed that our clients who perform preventive maintenance twice a year experience four times fewer major breakdowns and extend their system’s lifespan by an average of 6 to 8 years.

The AirGreen Service Advantage: Precision, Transparency, and Local Expertise

For over a decade, we've been providing customized, transparent, and effective maintenance services across Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and South Shore.

Every service call starts with a comprehensive diagnostic, followed by a detailed report, and includes concrete recommendations tailored to your building, your budget, and your comfort.

We adapt our methods based on:

• Your building type (residential, commercial, multi-unit)

• The brand and model installed

• How often the system is used

• Your energy goals (savings, longevity, grants)

How Often Should You Schedule a Cleaning?

Here are our general recommendations:

Of course, these frequencies can vary depending on your environment (pets, air pollution, humidity, etc.) and how often your system runs. That’s why we recommend a free evaluation visit so we can create a custom maintenance plan just for you.

Conclusion: Why Trust AirGreen with Your Heating System Cleaning?

When you choose AirGreen to service your heating system, you’re choosing thorough service, measurable results, and year-round comfort.

We serve the entire Greater Montreal Area, and we tailor our approach to your unique needs to help your system perform better, reduce your bills, and last longer.

Don’t wait for a breakdown: schedule your HVAC maintenance with AirGreen today.