While you already know the importance of calling for heating repair when your system fails to function properly, you may not realize that regular furnace maintenance is just as important in the long-term performance of your heating and cooling system. Heater tune-ups are a powerful preventive tool that offers amazing returns on your investment.
Keeping your older furnace or heating system in good shape is also the best way to prolong its life and ensure you’re getting the greatest efficiency possible from it each year. Without a furnace tune-up every year, your older HVAC system will be much more likely to lose efficiency quickly and run a higher risk of failure, particularly when the weather is coldest. Thus, furnace tune-ups by professional HVAC technicians protect the remaining lifespan of your heating system so you won’t have to worry about high heating costs, pending breakdowns, or heating system replacement in the near future.
Especially if your furnace or heat pump has been performing well over the past few years, you may wonder whether it’s necessary to schedule a heating tune-up before winter. Heating systems incur normal wear and tear as they function throughout the season. While this wear and tear may not cause a breakdown, it will cause a decrease in furnace efficiency over time, which leads to higher-than-necessary heating bills. The only way to ensure your energy bills remain consistently as low as possible is to schedule a furnace tune-up each year to check and clean your system. This reverses the effects of wear and tear, also correcting any efficiency losses associated with yearly use to restore your heating system to like-new condition and top-level performance.
Regular tune-ups protect your car from wear and tear and keep it running its best. The same can be said for the moving parts of your furnace. So what does a furnace tune-up entail?
A detailed furnace tune-up should include the following:
- Clean and inspect gas burners for blockage and damage
- Check ignition assembly – light pilot or inspect ignitor
- Inspect and clean thermocouple or flame sensor – this part detects if your furnace is on or off when it is supposed to be
- Check carbon monoxide levels
- Ensure that combustion air entries are free and clear
- Check and measure for proper venting and draft on the chimney
- Check blower motor and capacitor for proper operation
- Check thermostat
- Confirm the overall safe operation of the furnace
- Check electrical wiring and all connections
- Test safety controls for proper operation
- Inspect PVC vent pipes, if applicable
If any of these items are out of range, they can be fixed or replaced to make sure that your furnace is ready to go for the winter weather.
Homeowners may also wonder whether it’s necessary to tune up their new or old heating system. New heating systems can benefit greatly from regular maintenance and heater tune-ups every year, as this preventive measure is the best way to ensure your new furnace lasts as long as expected.
