What to Expect During a Furnace Tune-Up

Routine maintenance is a must if you want to keep your furnace and HVAC system in good condition and make sure their warranties remain valid. Remember: Improper or irregular maintenance can void your furnace or HVAC system’s warranty. 

How often should your furnace undergo maintenance? As a good rule of thumb, you should have a professional  heating repair  technician do a furnace tune-up at least once every year, ideally in early fall or before winter arrives. After all, a furnace breakdown is the last thing anyone wants in the middle of winter. 

So what can you expect during a furnace tune-up?

Inspection of the gas lines –  If your furnace runs on gas or propane, the technician will need to check it for leaks and monitor its gas or propane consumption using special equipment. Gas leaks are a significant safety risk that should be addressed as soon as possible. 

Cleaning the ports and gas valve  – The technician will also evaluate the combustion efficiency of your gas furnace’s burner. A technician can tell if a furnace isn’t burning gas efficiently by checking the gases produced during combustion and comparing them with the furnace’s specifications. Higher heating costs could also be a sign of inefficient combustion. If the furnace isn’t producing heat efficiently, the technician will clean ports on the gas valve and pilot tube. 

Checking the wire connections as well as the motor’s electricity consumption  – If, on the other hand, you have an electric furnace installed, the technician will check all its wire connections and see if the motor is consuming more electricity than the amperage rating indicates it should. If your furnace is consuming more electricity than necessary, the technician will try to diagnose the exact cause. However, depending on the cause, furnace repairs may be needed.

Inspection of air vents  – The HVAC technician will also check the air vents and ducts for any leaks. 

Checking the filters and replacing them if needed  – If the technician notices the vents or ductways are a bit dusty, they’ll check the filter and may recommend replacing it if it’s clogged with dust. Dirty air filters not only lower indoor air quality, which could cause allergy flare-ups and hamper airflow, they’lll  also increase the strain on your furnace or HVAC system, forcing it to consume more electricity and thus increase the risk of a breakdown. 

Inspect and clean the furnace’s blower compartment  –  The  heating repair  technician will inspect the blower compartment responsible for distributing warm air throughout your home. If there aren’t any issues with the furnace’s blower compartment, the technician will remove the blower fan to clean and lubricate it. 

Test the thermostat  – The technician will also check if the thermostat is able to precisely control the temperature in the room. 

Check the furnace for signs of moisture and rust  – It’s standard practice for an HVAC and  air conditioning repair  technician to check the furnace for signs of moisture and rust. Contrary to what some may think, it’s still possible for rust to form on a furnace because water vapor is a by-product of combustion. When water vapor mixes with oxygen and metal, rust is formed. Over time, rust will eat away at the furnace metal, creating a hole through which dangerous gases can enter the living area. 

Keep in mind that you’ll need to schedule a separate tune-up for your HVAC system. To diagnose the source of any leaks, an HVAC and  air conditioning repair  technician will need to check the refrigerant levels, inspect the coils and clear clogs in the drainage system. Since the technician will have to be more thorough in searching for leaks and moisture, HVAC inspections might also take longer. 

Of course, furnace maintenance can only do so much. As the furnace nears the end of its lifespan, it’ll start to malfunction more often.

Some homeowners might be hesitant about getting a furnace replacement, which can be a significant investment. As long as the furnace can still be fixed, there’s no need to get a replacement, right? Taken individually, occasional repairs may not seem that much of a sacrifice, but they can quickly add up. That’s why, at a certain point, getting a furnace replacement makes more practical—and financial—sense. 

By keeping an eye out for certain warning signs, you can tell when it’s time for a replacement. Some of these signs are: 

Keep in mind that it’s easy to miss subtle warning signs of furnace damage. That’s why, if you need a furnace tune-up, it’s best to hire experienced HVAC contractors. 

  Are you looking for HVAC contractors near you? 

R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, a company with over three decades of experience, offers professional HVAC and plumbing services, including furnace maintenance and  drain and sewer repair  services. To get a free estimate on new installations, call us at (505) 672-7888 or (970) 884-3358, or fill out this  form.

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