Oshkosh, WI Professional Furnace Tune-Up Services
Regular furnace tuning is just as critical as a car’s oil changes. Without regular maintenance, your furnace will lose efficiency and could break down unexpectedly. Whether your furnace makes strange noises or runs fine, a tune-up will help keep you and your family safe and warm throughout the winter.
What does a furnace tune up cover?
Sudden malfunctions causes inconveniences for a family who uses the furnace to maintain moderate temperature or relies on the heat during winters. During a tune-up, a technician will be able to inspect the various components of your system and repair any damages to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Sudden breakdowns can be prevented through regular inspection of the furnace to overcome recurring problems and frequent replacement. An added bonus is higher energy efficiency and the resulting money savings during the cold winter months.
During a tune-up, a professional will:
- pilot system and/or electrical components
- lubricate the mechanical parts
- clean the major components of the furnace
- check for system leaks and tears or gaps in the ductwork
- recalibrate the thermostat
- test the heating elements
- test the safety and limit switches
Why is a tune-up necessary?
The reason for cleaning the inside of a furnace is more than just to make it look nice. The cleanliness of a furnace is closely linked to operational efficiency. When you clean the coils and replace the air flow filter this can lead to a lower energy bill.
Quality assurance of the pilot system is another important step in a furnace tuning up. When the fuel is not burning off completely, it can result in dangerous carbon monoxide levels, which can have a detrimental effect to your health and well-being. A certified professional can allow you to know if there is a risk of your furnace for leaking such dangerous gas.
Tune-ups help you save money on your energy bills and costly repairs. Avoiding annual inspections will likely lead to more frequent need for repair. Dirty or worn out parts can make your furnace work harder than necessary and shorten its life. Some parts may be too expensive to repair and the entire unit may have to be replaced.
Even though the heating system tends to be out of mind, it is impossible to deny the absence of warm air in winter for a long time and it is inconvenient enough to warrant early prevention steps to be taken before the start of winter. On average, furnaces can last between 15-20 years with proper maintenance. Your furnace could even last as long as 30 to 40 years, depending on how frequently you use it and the climate you live in.
If you still have a furnace under warranty, frequent tuning may be needed to maintain the warranty. Many manufacturers will not issue refunds unless the homeowner has had all required maintenance checks performed, though they may still repair or replace a defective unit. Even a furnace that seems to be operating properly can benefit from a tuneup that could end up saving the homeowner the expense of a major repair at some point.
How should homeowners maintain their furnaces between tune-ups?
Unless something breaks down or needs a fix, a furnace doesn’t need a lot of maintenance by the homeowner in between tune-ups. There are things the homeowner can do, however, to help the furnace last as long as possible.
A regular air filter change is one way for the furnace to be maintained efficiently. A dirty filter can slow down the flow of air, which puts a strain on the mechanics and forces the furnace to work harder to make your home comfortable. You need to have the air filter changed a minimum of once every three months. Filters can improve furnace function and help filter out allergens and toxins so the air in your home is clean throughout the year.
While you may be tempted to have the air vents closed as a means of controlling its airflow and temperature, this can lead to causing issues with the unit when there are too many of them that are closed. Vents which are closed may also cause mold growth in the ducts. You won’t save any money by closing vents, and you could end up with a big expense if your furnace wears out prematurely from the additional strain.
The area where a furnace vents to the outside can become blocked by animal nests and other debris, which restricts the flow of air. The best time to check for these problems are when the season changes. If there seems to be a problem while the furnace is running already then you can also check first for blockages in its vents before making a call to the experts.