September 29, 2011
It’s that time of year when homeowners are prepping their furnace for winter. But many of them won’t perform a complete tune-up, which could cause heating problems later on. While it’s possible to tune up your furnace on your own, hiring an HVAC service offers the most assurance against unexpected heating issues. Below are 14 steps that a topnotch heating and air conditioning company will perform while tuning up your home’s furnace:
Inspect Blower Components
Blower components should be inspected for dirt accumulation, which could reduce airflow, cause filters to gather dust faster, and disrupt the balance of your heating system.
Test Distribution Fan
For your home to heat efficiently, the air distribution fan must kick on and off at the right temperatures. Temperature control testing ensures that it operates correctly.
Replace Air Filters
If your air filters haven’t been changed since last winter, they may need replacement. Clogged air filters can impede airflow, increase dust accumulation, and foster contaminants that encourage respiratory ailments.
Inspect Thermostat
Properly calibrating the thermostat will prevent your home from over or under heating. When it is improperly calibrated, a thermostat can cause heating bills to soar.
Lubricate Parts
Lubricating moving parts will extend your furnace’s lifespan by reducing motor drag, which could also contribute to high electric bills.
Inspect Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers should be chemically inspected to locate minute leaks that could put you in danger of carbon monoxide exposure.
Inspect Safety Controls
Modern furnaces have safety controls (e.g. high limit) that prevent them from overheating. These controls should be inspected annually as part of a professional furnace tune up.
Inspect Flues
Flues should be inspected for obstructions each year. Obstructed flues could put you in danger of toxic fume exposure.
Check Electrical Connections
Loose electrical connections can cause arc flashes that lead to fires. Connections can be inspected manually or with infrared scanners that detect abnormal heat patterns.
Inspect Belts
Furnace turn belts should be inspected for cracks and frays each year. Even belts that have minute cracks or frays should be replaced.
Check Gas Pressure
Your furnace’s manifold gas pressure controls the fuel input to the burners. Improper pressure could cause delayed ignition or over-consumption of fuel.
Inspect Burners
Burners should be inspected for dirt and corrosion each year. Clean burners make your heating system operate more efficiently.
Test Pilot Light
If the pilot light does not ignite or shows delayed ignition, your furnace thermocouple may need replacement.
Inspect Gas Line
Furnace’s gas lines should be inspected for leaks at two locations: the burners and the shut off valves.
Bardi Performs Annual Furnace Tune Ups
With cold weather fast approaching, now is the time to let Bardi Heating and Air Conditioning tune up your furnace. At Bardi, our NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified technicians perform the full range of tune up steps to make your furnace as reliable and safe as possible. To learn more about our service options for heating systems, or to make a service appointment, call us today.
