Rooftop package unit installed
IMG 9578
IMG 2421

Heating Tune-Up: What’s Included & Why It Matters

   Mid-winter can be a misery due to freezing temperatures and a malfunctioning heating system.  If you don't get a HVAC furnace tune up before the chilly winter months arrive, you run the risk of frozen pipes, lengthy service wait times, and additional expenses. 

 

   Like our bodies, these systems can benefit from a routine heating system tune up to identify problems early on before they become harmful and expensive.

 

   In order to keep your home heating system operating safely and effectively, heating tune-ups involve inspections or repairs. They are comparable to auto repair. Your heating system's lifespan can be more than doubled with routine maintenance. That being said, what does a furnace tune up include?

What Is a Furnace Tune-Up?

   A preventive measure that guarantees your furnace runs smoothly and efficiently while lowering the chance of malfunctions is a furnace tune up. Nobody wants to find out their furnace is broken in the middle of the night when they wake up shivering. So, what is a furnace tune up?

   Professional HVAC system checkups therefore identify minor issues before they necessitate more extensive repairs. By paying for HVAC checks up advance, you can avoid increased energy expenses and save money on repairs and reinstallation.

Why Regular Heating Tune-Ups Are Essential

   Preventing significant malfunctions requires routine heating maintenance.  Our experts perform a comprehensive examination of your heating system, finding and resolving minor issues before they become more costly repairs.

   Regular tune-ups assist prevent system failure by identifying problems early on, such as worn-out parts or small leaks.  Maintaining your heating system on a regular basis lowers the chance of unplanned malfunctions that could leave you without heat.

   Our experts look for any safety risks, such gas leaks or damaged wiring, during a tune-up. Making sure every part is in good operating order helps avoid problems like electrical fires and carbon monoxide leaks.

What Does a Furnace Tune-Up Include?

   Your furnace will be thoroughly inspected by a qualified professional who will look for any indications of wear, damage, or possible problems.  This entails checking the thermostat, electrical connections, ignition system, burner, and heat exchanger.  To get rid of dust and debris that could impair performance, the technician will clean the blower motor, fan blades, and other parts.  To guarantee smooth operation and lessen friction, they will lubricate moving parts.

   To make sure your furnace is functioning in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements, its performance will be examined.  To maximize efficiency, this involves monitoring the gas pressure, combustion, and airflow.  The technician will adjust the thermostat’s settings if needed to guarantee precise temperature control and effective performance.

   The technician will offer suggestions for fixes or replacements if any faults or possible difficulties are found.  By taking immediate action, these problems can be avoided before they become more serious..

Key Steps in a Furnace Check-Up

   What is included in a furnace tune up? To ensure that your system is operating properly and to maximize performance, maintenance should involve the following furnace check up.  A professional’s furnace servicing checklist should include the following steps:

  • Examining the connections between the vent and flue
  • Changing or cleaning the air filter
  • Dusting the furnace’s outside coils, vents, and interior
  • Examining the motors, blowers, and fan belts
  • Changing the burners and pilot light  Examining electrical parts
  • Checking for air leaks in ducting
  • Checking for obstructions in the furnace condensate drain

   Every one of these activities necessitates a thorough understanding of how your specific system functions.  To avoid potential corrosion from soot buildup, you should perform a furnace tune up and cleaning at least once a year, excluding filter replacement.

Furnace Inspection and Cleaning

   Because furnaces are typically located in utility closets and basements, dust is frequent on their surfaces. To maintain the area clean, you can vacuum the area surrounding the furnace and wipe down the furnace’s surface on a regular basis.

   After an inspection, a skilled technician will clean your furnace and leave it in immaculate condition if you engage them to service it. Component cleaning and inspection is one of the primary duties of a furnace inspection and cleaning. Parts like the heat exchanger, filters, and burners are carefully inspected by our professionals. By cleaning these parts, junk that could lead to the system overheating or malfunctioning is eliminated.

   Frequent cleaning and inspection guarantee that every part functions as intended, giving your house dependable warmth.  The procedure consists of:

  • Inspecting and Clean Blowers

   The blower motor, which regulates the heating and cooling system’s airflow, will next be taken out and cleaned by the furnace specialist.  The furnace’s fan, which helps move air out of the system, is powered by the blower.  Additionally, the blower’s run capacitor, which serves as a battery for the blower, should be examined for performance issues.

  • Checking Flue Pipe

   Fuel byproducts must be removed from your house via the flue pipe.  A professional will inspect your flue pipe to ensure proper fit and flow.  Additionally, they will inspect the pipe for soot buildup, water stains, loose joints, and corrosion.  Exhaust gases may accumulate in your house if the flue pipe isn’t working correctly, which could result in extremely hazardous carbon monoxide exposure. 

  • Check Heat Exchanger

   The heat exchanger is the next component to be inspected in your furnace.  The task of combining hot and cold air falls to heat exchangers.  In order to ensure that the temperature achieves equilibrium, this initiates the furnace’s heat transfer.  Heat exchangers just need to be visually inspected.  Soot, cracks, sounds, and a formaldehyde-like odor are some indicators that an exchanger is having problems.

Gas Furnace Tune-Up: Safety & Efficiency Checks

   Avoid waiting for the weather to cool down before checking on your furnace and making sure everything is operating as it should.  An annual inspection by a certified furnace professional and routine heating tune-ups will help you prevent malfunctions that leave you cold on a cold day.

   To keep your feet warm and your furnace running, follow this comprehensive gas furnace tune up

 checklist. 

  • Change the Filters

   This is the schedule for changing furnace filters:  

  • Every ninety days, no pets
  • Every 60 days if you have pets
  • Every 30 to 45 days if someone in your household has allergies

   Dirt, debris, and particles can accumulate and limit airflow if you don’t change your filters on a regular basis, which reduces efficiency.

  • Clean the Burners

   You should periodically remove and clean your burners.  Burners are prone to condensation and soot, which can cause your furnace to age too quickly.  You may and should check them yourself as frequently as you change the filters, but a professional will do this as part of an annual furnace tune up.

   Once the furnace has been turned off and the gas valve has been closed, take out the burners and vacuum or wipe them off with a towel.  At the same time, the flame sensor that determines if the pilot light is on should be cleaned.  Remove it and use a cloth to wipe away any dirt.

  • Check the Gas Line

   Look for indications of leakage, such as a hissing noise or a distinct propane odor emanating from the shut-off valve.  Turn off your main valve and contact a professional immediately if you smell propane or hear a hiss.

  • Test the Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector

   Although the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your house are not a part of your gas furnace, it’s a good idea to test and replace their batteries during your furnace inspection.  

   Additionally, you ought to verify your carbon monoxide detector.  To prevent false alerts from the tiny quantity of carbon monoxide (CO) released during furnace startup, place your detectors at least 15 feet away from your furnace.

HVAC Furnace Tune-Up: Full System Check

   All of the aforementioned procedures will be covered in the comprehensive examination, along with a few more intricate ones that are better left to a furnace specialist.  What to anticipate from your yearly inspection is as follows:

  • Clean and Oil the Motors and Bearings

   To prolong the life of internal furnace components and avoid failure, a furnace specialist will clean and lubricate them.  Many furnaces have two motors, two blower shafts, and four bearings.  For both to function properly, they must be lubricated at least once a year.

  • Check Thermostat

   The accuracy and operation of the thermostat should be examined.  Large temperature swings, numerous on/off cycles, or your furnace not providing heat are all common indicators that your thermostat is malfunctioning.

   The furnace specialist will verify that the thermostat is still functioning correctly and that there is no dust or dirt on it.  To assist cut down on energy expenses, you can also ask them to recalibrate your thermometer.

  • Inspect Ignition and Flame

   To examine ignition and flame performance, your HVAC specialist will turn the furnace on and off.  Since it produces the spark required to heat the air, the ignition is an essential component of the furnace.

   To find out how much oxygen the furnace is getting, they will first examine the ignition and then evaluate the color of the ignited flame.  If required, they might modify the pilot valve or replace your ignitor. 

  • Flush Drains and Traps

   During the inspection, the HVAC specialist will also check for water leaks and flush the furnace’s traps and drains.  Water leaks indicate problems such as:

  • Insecure connections 
  • Holes and cracks in the condensate drain line
  • The trap of most furnaces is connected to at least two internal drains
  • These drains aid in cleaning the exhaust and heat exchanger.

   Draining condensate is crucial to avoid buildup that can halt combustion.  A clogged drain line can also be detected by flushing the drain and traps.

  • Check Venting

   Because the furnace vents drive gas away from your home through the flue pipe, it’s crucial to make sure the vents are clear.  By checking for dirt, leaks, and slopes, the furnace inspector will confirm that there is adequate, unhindered ventilation.  Water streaks and corrosion on the vent or flue of your furnace are typical indicators of obstructed venting.

  • Adjust and Tighten Panels

   Because jostled panels can lower efficiency, produce rattling noises when operating, and perhaps result in a system shutdown, your furnace specialist will make sure that all unit panels are securely fastened.  An improperly closing front panel may also expose your house to harmful levels of carbon monoxide (CO).

Benefits of Annual Furnace Tune-Ups

   The greatest method to extend the life of your heating system and guarantee optimal efficiency every year is to keep it in good condition.  Your HVAC system will probably become less efficient and have a larger chance of breaking down if you don’t get a yearly heating tune up, especially during periods of peak usage when the weather is at its coldest.

   The annual heater tune up provides a number of important advantages, such as: 

  • Enhanced Productivity:  By keeping your furnace operating efficiently, you can reduce your energy costs.
  • Longer Lifespan:  Regular maintenance will help your heating system last longer.  
  • Avoid Breakdowns:  Lower the possibility of unforeseen malfunctions, particularly during periods of high demand.
  • Improved Performance: For reliable comfort, make sure your furnace runs at peak efficiency.
  • Reduced Repair Expenses:  Recognize and fix small problems before they become expensive fixes.

   Is it time for system maintenance? Schedule an appointment for a heating tune up service with Go-Tech right now to be sure your system is operating at peak efficiency.

Choosing a Heating Tune-Up Service

   One of the most important aspects of routine heating system maintenance is an annual furnace tune-up.  It provides a number of advantages, including increased longevity, decreased breakdown risk, and enhanced energy efficiency.  

   You can maintain your furnace operating efficiently and keep your house warm and cozy this winter and many more by planning routine tune-ups and doing easy maintenance chores on your own.

   Our experts at Go-Tech know what does a furnace tune up consist of and resources necessary to guarantee your heating system performs at its peak efficiency.  Our skilled specialists’ tune-ups will give you comfort and a dependable heating system throughout the winter.