Every year, as soon as the Ottawa weather starts to get colder, the buzz around cleaning and maintaining your heating system gets louder. But is regular furnace maintenance really necessary? Our overwhelming expert opinion is: “Yes, you should schedule a furnace tune up every year!”
Benefits of a Furnace Tune Up
There are many upsides to annual furnace maintenance, most importantly ensuring your furnace is ready to keep you warm and comfortable throughout the winter months. Why else do we suggest this preventive maintenance?
Reduce Energy Bills
Heating a home is expensive and accounts for quite a large portion of our utility bills. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to keep these costs at a minimum without having to turn down the thermostat constantly? There is! An easy way to lower energy bills is to boost your furnace’s energy efficiency with a yearly tune up.
Even ENERGY STAR certified furnaces need tune ups to function at peak levels. There will be less strain on the furnace and your wallet when you make it easier for the furnace to function.
Prevent Future Repairs
Many of us hope for the best and don’t budget for HVAC system repairs. Instead, we end up in a panic when something breaks and pay a hefty bill to get everything working again. Furnace tune ups ensure your heating system is performing optimally.
A skilled technician takes the time to clean and lubricate the components, tighten connections and perform tests. While inspecting and optimizing your furnace, potential problems such as cracks in the heat exchanger or malfunctioning pilot lights are noted. By catching and addressing these problems early, you’ll keep costs down and avoid expensive furnace repairs or furnace replacements.
Improve Air Quality
Inside your furnace, fuel is used to create combustion. This reaction produces residue that builds up over time. This, plus the dust, hair and other particles that collect in and around your furnace, can impact a home’s air quality. During a furnace tune up, debris is removed, and the air filter is replaced, resulting in cleaner air.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leaks
The number one thing you can do to prevent a carbon monoxide (CO) leak in your home is to get regular furnace tune ups. All gas-burning appliances produce CO, and leaks can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning—a potentially life-threatening health hazard. For this reason, always make sure a professional inspects your furnace.
Technicians are trained to look for causes of CO leaks, including cracked heat exchangers or defective coils. In addition to regular furnace maintenance, we encourage you to install CO detectors throughout your house that warn you if carbon monoxide rises to dangerous levels. Safety first!
What Does a Furnace Tune Up Consist Of?
When performing furnace tune ups, HVAC technicians typically conduct the following tasks:
- Clean outside and inside of the furnace; this includes the vent system, blower motor and access doors.
- Clean and lubricate bearings and all other moving parts.
- Adjust and repair electrical hardware. Check wiring for corrosion, tighten electrical connections and test for proper voltage.
- Perform a combustion analysis per unit specifications.
- Check gas line connections. Adjust pressure if needed.
- Inspect and clean coils, burners and flame sensors. Eliminate soot and test ignition system.
- Inspect heat exchanger for corrosion, cracks or blockage.
- Inspect condensate drain and all hoses. Clear any blockages, thoroughly clean the system, replace water in the trap, and test for leaks.
- Replace air filter.
- Tighten and adjust fan belts and controls.
- Conduct a safety control check.
- Test CO (carbon monoxide) levels.
- Check and properly calibrate the thermostat.
- Document problems and recommend repairs if needed.
Depending on the age and brand of your system, additional tune up work may be completed. Professional furnace maintenance technicians at Ottawa Home Services will provide you with a written furnace status report to keep for your records.
Is There Anything I Can Do To Prepare My Furnace?
Besides regular furnace tune ups, homeowners can help prepare a furnace for winter with a few simple steps:
Test Thermostat
It seems simple, but testing your thermostat is an important step to take. First, make sure to replace the battery if needed. Next, ensure the thermostat is set to “heat” and then raise the temperature slowly, all the while listening for the tell-tale sound that indicates the furnace has jumped into action. If you don’t hear this sound, the signal from the thermostat is not reaching the appliance. Contact an HVAC technician to solve this problem for you.
Change Furnace Filter
Especially during Ottawa’s heating season, it is essential to change your furnace filter often; this should be every 30 to 90 days. Check your used filter by holding it up to the light. If it is hard to see light shining through, it is time to change the filter. We suggest writing the date on the edge of the replacement filter, and over time you can better gauge how often to change the filter.
Inspect Carbon Monoxide Detector
While you are preparing your home for winter, make sure to check each CO detector. Replace the batteries, then gather your family together to demonstrate the sound the alarm makes. And, if it has been more than ten years since you installed the detector, take this opportunity to replace it!
Cover Air Conditioner
Covering your AC condenser each fall is a good idea. Place something on top—a board or garbage can lid works perfectly—to protect the unit from falling leaves, branches or wintertime icicles. Don’t wrap it entirely, though, as this traps unwanted moisture.
Relax & Enjoy an Efficient, Dependable Furnace
Rely on the heating and cooling professionals at Ottawa Home Services to perform all your HVAC system tune ups. Ask about our furnace maintenance plan, which ensures your furnace will continue to operate safely and efficiently—at a price that works for you.
