It's October and time to call our furnace guy to have him come do our furnace check-up so it runs efficiently for the winter. While it would have been nice to have him do it when I (Chuck) recently had to replace my AC; it's best to wait until the AC unit is not running regularly. And with warm temps this past week; the AC is still running!
Regular maintenance is key to keeping your home comfort system performing effectively and efficiently day-in and day-out. Even if you're certain your heating and cooling systems are running just fine, don't neglect regular maintenance. Many HVAC problems can be detected and eliminated before they become major, expensive breakdowns and repairs. Consistent maintenance is especially important as we approach the change of the seasons, when your heating system requires some TLC.
While your AC system has done what it needs to during the hot, steamy summer, the majority of the hot weather is behind us. For starters, you need to inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month. This is easy to do and can prevent a dirty filter from increasing energy costs--leading to system breakdown and shortened life expectancy. A visual inspection of your heating system can sometimes reveal noticeable wear and tear or external damage to your furnace.
What is a good HVAC service professional going to do for fall maintenance? Keep reading below. If you need a recommendation let us know, and we'll give you some companies we trust and respect. A furnace tune-up should include:
- Testing of all gas or oil connections and valves, as well as gas pressure, burner combustion and the heat exchanger. Faulty or improper gas/oil connections are obvious fire hazards and can also lead to possible CO issues. Dirty burners or damaged exchangers will cause your furnace to operate less safely and efficiently.
- Check flue, thermocouple, pilot assembly, and blower motor to make sure all are working correctly.
- Check thermostat settings to ensure your system keeps you comfortable and saves you money by only running when you want it to.
- Inspect and tighten all electrical wiring connections as faulty electrical connections can cause system damage and create unsafe operating conditions.