Is it time for you to schedule a furnace check-up? If you own a furnace, there’s a good chance that furnace maintenance is not something you think about often. However, it’s a vital preventive service if you want to keep your furnace working well during the winter months and avoid unexpected breakdowns.
If you’re wondering how important it can be to schedule an annual furnace check-up, we are here to tell you that furnace maintenance is one of the leading ways to prevent a breakdown, extend the life-span of your furnace, and save you money by avoiding costly repairs. If you need further convincing, here’s what’s included in a furnace check-up:
What happens during a Heater/Furnace Maintenance Checkup?
Furnace check-ups involve checking all of the essential components to make sure they’re clean, lubricated, and working properly. While it’s recommended to hire a professional service, there are some things you can do yourself at home. For a better understanding, here’s a list of what’s included in a furnace maintenance check:
- Inspect the air filter. It’s important to keep your air filter clean in order to improve the efficiency of your furnace. A dirty air filter can prevent your furnace from working altogether, cause the furnace to overheat, and decrease efficiency – increasing your energy bills. We will happily replace the air filter with a new customer provided filter.
- Test the thermostat: for proper operation sure it’s set to heat and the battery works
- Test the Ignition system for proper operation
- Inspect the heat exchangers for any cracks or other signs of damage. If a heat exchanger is damaged our certified technician can provide you with repair options onsite.
- Measure supply/return differential This test measures the difference in the air temperature going into the unit and air temperature coming out. It one of the indicators of unit health and efficiency
- Inspect Exhaust system, or furnace pressure switch. The draft vacuum switch makes sure all combustion exhaust byproducts are vented outside the home via the flue vent. The pressure switch is designed to sense the negative pressure created by the draft inducer motor during the furnace startup and to shut down the furnace ignition if the air pressure is inadequate.
- Check the Flame Sensor. A bad furnace flame sensor might shut down after a few seconds of igniting, could be dirty or corroded, or the porcelain might be cracked causing the flame sensor to not work properly.
- Test the blower motor which provides a steady supply of electricity to the fan motors which move the hot air efficiently through the system.
- Inspect the gas valve to make sure it is open and gas is flowing properly. If it’s dirty or blocked and gas is not flowing properly, it might need to be repaired or replaced.
- Check the furnace output flame is healthy. A natural gas furnace flame should be blue or almost completely blue. Incorrect flame colors could be a sign of a combustion problem and should be fixed.
- Test the safety sensors. Safety sensors are meant to shut the furnace down if a problem or malfunction is detected. Making sure the safety sensors are working properly could help prevent furnace damage and save lives.
- Test the furnace circuit board. A furnace circuit board is essentially the brain of your furnace. It operates and controls the functions of your furnace and ensures they are working properly. If it isn’t working properly or fails, it could cause problems in your system and lead to malfunctions elsewhere.
- Check for Carbon Monoxide leaks is important for your safety and the safety of your home. Even small leaks in your heater or furnace can expose you to a deadly amount of carbon monoxide. Since this is a clear and odorless gas, it’s important to check for leaks before it’s too late.
- Inspect Electrical Wiring if there are any wiring issues our certified technicians can provide you with repair options onsite.
Regular furnace maintenance checks will ensure your furnace is working properly and prevent unexpected breakdowns from ruining your winter. To learn more from a heating professional about what to expect in a furnace check-up, contact us using our webchat feature (blue chat bubble on right) or give us a call at (800) 947-1747.
