Your heating system is what keeps you nice and warm during the Winter months. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with your heating, air conditioning, and plumbing maintenance every year to ensure all of your systems are running smoothly.
If you’ve ever experienced a malfunction with your furnace during the cold Winter then you know how important it is to have regular tune-ups done on it to ensure smaller issues are taken care of to prevent bigger problems from occurring later on.
You have to be able to rely on your furnace to keep you warm and comfortable so you should always make sure you maintain it every year. Furnace tune-ups help to ensure your heating system will run smoothly through each season.
Another good reason you should have annual furnace inspections by a professional HVAC technician is that it can prevent any irreversible damage to your furnace which could cause you to end up having to completely replace it.
Having to replace your furnace is quite expensive and no one wants to have to shell out that kind of money on a new appliance if they can do something to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some of the advantages of having annual furnace tune-ups:
# When you keep your furnace maintained, it helps it to work more efficiently, which eliminates the waste of energy and reduces your monthly utility bills
# Annual tune-ups of your furnace by a professional HVAC technician can extend the overall lifespan of your furnace and it can ensure that the critical components are sustained.
# Your HVAC technician can investigate and fix minor problems and uncover any serious problems which can include repairs and possible replacements.
# Annual maintenance can prevent fires and other possible dangers, such as gas fumes and carbon monoxide leaks.
What You Can Potentially Do Before A Furnace Tune-Up
There are steps of a furnace tune-up that you can’t necessarily control however, you can do your own part in maintaining your furnace’s efficiency. It’s recommended that you clean and change out your air filters regularly, especially during the seasons when you use your furnace the most.
It can also help if you make sure to lubricate your blower motor bearings throughout the year. If your furnace happens to use oil cups, you can add 3 drops of oil every year to make sure it’s lubricated properly. Although many newer motors have bearings that are permanently sealed and don’t actually need to be oiled.
You can also check your blower unit on a regular basis and make sure you clear it of any debris or dirt. You can achieve this by simply vacuuming the furnace every once in a while. However, before you do this you should make sure you turn off the circuit breaker first.
You can also test any ductwork joints for leaks, one technique that is used includes holding a stick of incense that is lit up the joints while the furnace is turned on, and you will be able to locate any leaks. If you happen to notice any leaks you should seal them up using metal tape.
Another thing you can do is check your thermostat’s accuracy. You can do this by placing an outdoor thermometer on the wall right next to the thermostat. Make sure you let your furnace run for several minutes, and then compare the temperature reading to the displayed room temperature.
If you notice any difference in the readings, then you should call a professional HVAC technician to come out and fix the issue.
What to Expect During A Furnace Tune-Up
When a professional HVAC technician comes to your home to perform a furnace tune-up you can expect them to go through a checklist of inspections. However, the specific inspections that are performed during the service can vary, it depends on the type of heating system you have and what issues are found during the process.
Even though the inspection list will vary here are some things you can expect your HVAC technician to do during your inspection:
# They will inspect the heat exchanger to see if there are any signs of corrosion or cracks and separations
# They will check the blower and clean up its components, which includes having to remove the blower wheel and all of the debris or possible blockages.
# They will test the seal that’s on the blower access door.
# They will inspect the air intake grills for any kind of blockages.
# They may perform an amp-draw test on the blower motor and then compare the results to the specifications of the system that are listed.
# They may inspect the burner to make sure there is proper ignition and test the flame sensor for correct operation.
# They will lubricate all of the motor’s movable parts to help to reduce any friction.
# They will test the thermostat calibration.
# Inspect the flue for accurate operation.
# Inspect the belts for any signs of wear and tear or potential cracks.
# Check to see if the system’s startup cycle is working properly.
# Change the furnace’s air filter.
You can also expect your HVAC technician to inspect other parts of your heating system that are not mentioned above.
