Tune Up For A Furnace (Check-And-Clean): Homeowner’s Guide

You should have your heating system checked and cleaned by a professional at least once a year, preferably before the heating season. A furnace tune up will help your system run more efficiently, lend to fewer breakdowns, and will also help you get the most mileage out of your system.

Here at Compass Heating and Air we believe that the more you know about your heating and air conditioning systems, the better able we can serve you. I’ve been cleaning and inspecting furnaces for over 15 years, and have seen what can happen when they aren’t properly cared for. That is why I have put together this brief homeowner’s guide describing what is involved in your annual furnace tune up.

What Is A Furnace Tune Up (Check-And-Clean)?

A furnace tune up is an important part of extending the life of your furnace and ensuring your home’s comfort during our cold Illinois winter months.

A comprehensive tune up of your heating system should be a regular part of your HVAC system’s maintenance. And in the case of a furnace using combustible power sources such as gas or oil, it is an important part of making sure that your furnace is operating safely and that the system components are clean and in proper working order.

So let’s take a few minutes to look at the benefits and what is included in a furnace tune up.

Benefits Of An Annual Furnace Tune Up (Check-And-Clean)

The benefits of an annual furnace tune up or a “check-and-clean” are numerous. A good servicing can help make sure that you avoid mid-winter surprises of no heat on frigid days, but it will also make sure that your furnace is running in tip top shape saving you money on energy bills.

Saving Money With a Home Furnace Tune Up and Cleaning

As I mentioned above, a home furnace tune up can indeed save you money. When your furnace is running efficiently, you use less energy to achieve the desired level of comfort. That means that your utility bills should be lower and of course your systems performance will be running at peak performance and efficiency.

Common Problems You Can Avoid With A Tune Up On A Furnace

A complete system tune-up performed by a trained technician can address problems that are larger problems in the making.

Cold Room Due to Weak Airflow

Weak airflow is a problem that homeowners all too often decide to “live with”. But that doesn’t need to be the case. Weak airflow can be a problem with a remedy. Sometimes a stuck damper adjustment or a fixable problem with your home’s ductwork can provide an easy solution to your weak airflow concerns.

An end of season servicing by a trained technician is especially helpful in identifying problems while the homeowner’s concerns are still fresh in their minds.

Frequent Breakdowns

If you are experiencing frequent breakdowns and need an hvac technician to come to your home on a repair call, it might be because your furnace has not had regular preventive maintenance.

Regularly scheduled preventive maintenance is designed to head off expensive emergency service calls by troubleshooting the need for furnace repairs before they happen.

Higher Winter Energy Bills

Clogged ductwork, stuck dampers and dirty filters can all lead to higher energy bills. What’s more, these seemingly small maintenance items add to the wear and tear on your furnace, making it run harder to achieve the desired temperature.

All of these common problems can be easily remedied with an annual service call, ideally scheduled just after the heating season.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

An often overlooked result of not having your furnace regularly serviced is the effect it has on indoor air quality.

Regular changing of your HVAC systems filters and air filters as well the removal of any built up soot due to the by-products of combustion used in the process to produce heat will improve air quality and enhance comfort levels

How Often Should I Get A Furnace Tune Up?

A furnace tune should be part of your regular maintenance schedule. Not only will it head off problems but it will make sure that your manufacturer’s warranty is honored.

Furnace Tune Up Steps For a Professional Check and Clean

A complete furnace tune up covers the following tasks. Here is your tune up checklist.

• Inspect all moving parts in the furnace, flue, and damper
• Service all valves making sure that they are operational
• Evaluate the voltage coming into the furnace making sure that it is at the proper levels
• Visually inspect all belts and pulleys

Your technician will give you a system health report and a completed furnace tune up checklist.

Furnace Tune Up How To: Guide to DIY Maintenance

Hints for saving time and money!

Home Furnace Tune Up Steps You Can Do Yourself

DIY maintenance is always available to those who wish to do it. Here is a list of some things that you can do yourself.

• Check the thermostat for accurate readings
• Replace air filters every 90 days or so when in operation
• Ductless heat pumps require a visual inspection of the outdoor unit and the removal of any debris impeding airflow.

Read More: Why Is Your Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

Extending The Lifespan of Your Furnace

If you treat your heating system right with regular maintenance you will not only increase its lifespan but also preserve its manufacturer’s warranty.

Regular preventive maintenance and inspection of system component parts improves system performance and comfort not to mention safety.

Checklist For A Professional Gas Furnace Tune Up (Check-and-Clean)

Your professional Gas Furnace Tune Up checklist:

• Inspecting the flue & vent connections
• Cleaning or changing the air filter
• Ignitor testing
• Dusting the furnace interior, vents, & external coils
• Checking the fan belts, blowers, & motors
• Adjusting the pilot light & burners
• Checking fuel-source connections
• Performing a combustion analysis for gas & oil furnaces
• Checking electrical components
• Inspecting ductwork for air leaks
• Checking the heat exchanger
• Inspecting the furnace condensate drain for clogs
• Testing thermostat settings

FAQs

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions when it comes to your furnace:

What makes a furnace go bad?

Ignition failure is one of the most common furnace problems sometimes leading to unwanted gas leaks. Another common wear and tear problem occurs when a dirty burner fails to clean burn fuel allowing carbon monoxide to escape. A properly installed and running CO detector is critical.

Can I clean my own furnace?

There are some DIY maintenance tasks that most homeowners can perform. We have outlined them above. We recommend having a professional clean your system at least once a year.

How long does it take to tune up a furnace?

A furnace tune up requires a full system inspection. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the need for repair work. Your technician should ask you about your systems heating performance and any issues with your home comfort. Your honest input will help speed up the process and ensure your comfort. Furnace check-and-cleans in Elgin, IL

Call Compass Heating and Air at (630) 504-8688, for furnace check-and-cleans in Elgin, IL