Colorado Illinois Iowa Michigan Minnesota Nebraska New Mexico North Dakota South Dakota Utah Wisconsin Wyoming

7 Reasons to Schedule Your Fall Furnace Tune-Up

Don’t wait until temperatures plummet: Now is the absolute best time to make sure your heating system is ready to go for winter. By tuning up your furnace, you save time and money, reduce the likelihood of a crisis, and avoid the inconvenience, frustration, and danger of leaving your family without heat during the coldest part of the year.

That’s why manufacturers recommend scheduling a fall furnace tune-up, which can help you save money, prevent safety hazards, and reduce your risk of an untimely breakdown. Have a qualified technician perform a furnace tune-up in your home, which will include a furnace inspection, testing, cleaning, and preparation for winter.


Photo: coservicetechs.com

Is a Furnace Tune-Up Really Necessary?

You might be asking: What’s all the hype about having your furnace checked out? Do I really need to have it serviced every year? Although some homeowners don’t, there are 7 good reasons you should, especially if you have an older furnace.

Preventive Maintenance

You wouldn’t drive your car 5,000 miles without changing the oil, would you? If you decided to not to, the parts in your engine would become too hot, causing the engine to run less efficiently – and over time result in engine components wearing out.

Like a car, furnaces have lots of parts that can wear out over time. Many components are under a lot of stress, and can degrade. A furnace tune-up allows a professional to examine the inner workings of a furnace to ensure all of the important components are functioning correctly and safely. Fixing any issue in the fall means you’re less likely to have a breakdown when it’s really cold outside, and when HVAC technicians are in high demand.

Also, just like a car, older furnaces tend to have more problems. The older they get, the more inevitable a problem becomes. Furnace manufacturers and technicians will strongly urge you to have an older furnace serviced yearly for safety reasons.

What are the Benefits of a Fall Tune-Up?

1. LONGER SYSTEM LIFE

When you take care of the things you own, they last longer. Most HVAC systems that fail prematurely do so because of lack of maintenance. When you forgo maintenance, your system will experience a buildup of dirt and debris. When this happens, your system will no longer be able to function at peak efficiency.

After having to work so hard day after day, it’s eventually spent and can no longer go any further. A healthy system that undergoes routine maintenance will last you for 25 to 40 percent longer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a proper furnace tune-up can improve your system’s durability, saving you money in the long-term. Moreover, an optimally performing heating system requires fewer repairs over the life of the system, further saving you more money.

2. REDUCED RISK OF A BREAKDOWN

A seasonal furnace tune-up reduces the likelihood of an untimely breakdown. When heating systems run to the maximum, they’re bound to break down eventually. For instance, your furnace could break down during hash weather conditions or during an important holiday when you have friends or family over.

In fact, some experts have said that 75 percent of calls during the winter are due to lack of maintenance. A licensed technician will be able to spot any current issues your furnace is facing as well as any potential problems. The amount of money you pay to have your furnace serviced is just a fraction of what frequent repairs down the road will cost.

3. INCREASED ENERGY-EFFICIENCY

Since your heating and cooling equipment accounts for nearly half of your home’s energy costs, it’s important that your system work efficiently. When your heating system has to work harder to provide you with the level of comfort you need, it’s going to require more energy, which also means more money. Dirty air filters and coils, a lack of lubricant on parts, and a fraying belt are all reasons your furnace isn’t functioning properly. When your system is operating at peak efficiency, however, that translates into savings.

A furnace tune-up includes gas calibration and the inspection and cleaning of the ignition system and burners to ensure correct temperature output. In addition to ensuring safe operation, this will keep your furnace running as efficiently as possible all season.

4. SAFETY

To provide heat, a furnace has to burn fuel. Even a small problem in this combustion process can lead to harmful carbon monoxide levels or a dangerous gas leak. Having a trained technician test and inspect your entire heating system each year will ensure it’s safe to operate.

5. CLEAN AIR

Most furnace tune-ups also include some basic cleaning and a new air filter. This cleaning process can help remove some of the dust and debris in the system, improving air quality throughout your home. More involved tune-ups may also include duct cleaning, which removes even more dust and dirt from your home.

6. PROPER AIRFLOW

Restricted or limited airflow places an unnecessary strain on your furnace that can lead to a shortened lifespan and/or increased repairs. During a furnace tune-up, the HVAC technician will perform a static airflow test. This test will measure how hard the fan is working to move air throughout the home.

7. ENSURE THE MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY STAYS IN EFFECT

Most manufacturers require the homeowner to have regular maintenance on their heating and cooling system performed by a licensed professional and to keep records of all work. Failure to do so could void your warranty.

What is Included in a Furnace Tune-Up?

A fall furnace tune-up means that a heating system technician addresses the following. Of course, every make and model of furnace is different, so what is done for your system may vary, especially if you have a heat pump or dual fuel system.

  • Testing system and safety controls
  • Gas leak inspection
  • Heat exchanger inspection for carbon monoxide leakage
  • Adjust/repair electrical components
  • Airflow testing and air filter inspection
  • Assessing the thermostat for energy efficiency and comfort
  • Inspect drafts, vents, and flues
  • Inspect motors, electrical connections, and controls
  • Test ignition sequence
  • Test for proper voltage
  • Gas pressure, oil or connections and burner combustion inspection
  • Clean and test burners, flame sensor and related components
  • Blower compartment cleaning to remove dust
  • Blower motor and bearings lubrication as per manufacturer recommendations
  • And more

Don’t take chances when it comes to the safety of you and your family. A furnace tune-up is typically less than $150, and it is likely to save you money in the long run.

Schedule your fall furnace tune-up today! >  Click here to find a dealer near you.