As long as my oil furnace gave heat, I paid really little attention to it. I should have kept up with filter fluctuations and scheduling professional repair in the fall. I neglected the heating plan until it abruptly quit in the middle of the evening. Since it was the end of February and the outdoor temperature was down to 10 degrees, I had no alternative but to call for emergency repair. I was not only upset about my family’s comfort but the opening of the water pipes cold. It cost me a small fortune to get a licensed worker to come to the house at that time of evening. When the worker took the plan apart, he found a considerable accumulation of dust and other debris on the inner workings. He said that this grime had restricted air flow through the plan causing it to overheat. After a really thorough inspection, he informed me that the heat exchanger was cracked. I assumed that he could simply substitute the heat exchanger, disinfect the oil furnace and get the plan working again. I l gained that the cost of a current heat exchanger was more than the oil furnace was worth. Because I hadn’t kept up with seasonal upkeep by a professional, the manufacturer’s warranty was no longer valid. I ended up paying for a brand current oil furnace to be installed. After that horrible experience, I immediately signed up for a repair plan. I am now diligent about air filter fluctuations and annual upkeep. I am determined to take really great care of the oil furnace and make sure it lasts for as long as possible.