What Is a Furnace Tune-Up: Process and Importance

Most people tend to forget about their furnace, at least until something goes wrong. But instead of calling in for a furnace repair in the middle of winter, it may be a better idea to invest in an annual furnace tune-up.

What is a furnace tune-up? It’s essentially a maintenance plan for your furnace. Tune-ups are a powerful way of ensuring that your furnace keeps running all winter with no issues. 

Regular tune-ups are essential if you want to maintain your furnace’s heating efficiency and capacity. When scheduling your furnace service, make sure to speak to the furnace tune-up experts from A Custom Services. We have the experience and expertise to make the process as smooth and simple as possible and can assist with any other furnace issues you may encounter. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF A PROFESSIONAL HVAC TUNE-UP EVERY YEAR

Your HVAC system, including the furnace and AC, is a complex piece of machinery. It contains many moving parts that are subject to plenty of wear and tear. As parts get worn, the furnace will start to run less efficiently, which puts even more strain on these parts. 

Typically, these parts will often fail when the system is under a heavy load, usually in the middle of winter. It can be stressful to find the right HVAC technicians during an emergency, especially if you have family and friends over for the holidays. Preventive maintenance can help you avert a potential disaster. 

You can view your furnace in the same way you look at your car. Regular services can dramatically extend the lifespan of the engine and pick up potential problems before they become costly repairs. The more you invest in maintenance, the less trouble you’ll have in the future. 

If you’re still unconvinced or want to find out exactly what a furnace inspection is, here are some of our top reasons for scheduling regular preventive maintenance for your HVAC system. 

Improves Safety

Furnaces burn fuel to produce heat. One of the major by-products of the combustion process is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is harmful to human health. 

Most modern furnaces have sensors and safeguards to prevent carbon monoxide and other toxic gasses from leaking. Regular furnace tune-ups can help keep these systems running properly to keep you and your family safe.

Provides Clean Air

Furnaces have air filters that keep your indoor air quality high. These filters often gather plenty of dust and debris, especially during periods of heavy use, leading to poor-quality air.

Replacing air filters is one of the key parts of a furnace tune-up, which will ensure that the air coming from your furnace is clean and healthy to breathe. More extensive furnace services will also clean your ductwork, removing most of the dust from your entire HVAC system. 

Enhanced Energy Efficiency

Furnaces become less efficient as they age and require more energy to provide the same amount of heating. Even a clogged air filter can dramatically decrease your furnace’s energy efficiency. Not only do these issues put excessive strain on your HVAC system, but they also put pressure on your wallet.

HVAC technicians will often check your furnace’s settings to ensure it’s at the optimum level for energy efficiency. They will also replace any filters or other parts to ensure your system runs as effectively as possible. 

If you run your heating throughout the winter, the savings from regular maintenance can outweigh the costs of the service itself. 

Necessary for Manufacturer’s Warranty

Many manufacturers offer comprehensive warranties on their furnaces. However, if you check the fine print, you’ll see that a condition of most warranties is to perform regular services and have a service history on the furnace.

Failing to keep up with your furnace maintenance can void your warranty, which can leave you with a hefty replacement bill in the future. 

THE FURNACE TUNE-UP CHECKLIST

What is a furnace tune-up? Furnace services tend to consist of regular maintenance tasks and extensive checks on all furnace components. At A Custom Services, our furnace tune-up checklist includes:

• Wiring inspection. Many of the furnace issues we see stem from improper electrical connections and wiring. We check all of the electronic connections and wiring and make the necessary repairs to prevent furnace malfunctions and the risk of electrical fires.
• Indoor air filter cleaning or replacement. Depending on your system, we will either clean or replace your furnace air filter. These filters don’t only control your air quality; blocked air filters can also put a lot of extra strain on your furnace, leading to an increased risk of furnace issues in the future.
• Blower compartment cleaning. An HVAC system continuously brings dust-laden outdoor air into the furnace. While the air filter keeps this dust out of your home, the debris will still accumulate in the furnace and blower compartment. Dirty blower wheels are less efficient and effective, leading to low-quality heating and increased energy bills. 
• Combustion analysis and burner adjustment. We evaluate the furnace builders to ensure they work at optimum levels for the best heating with the lowest cost.
• Extensive safety checks. In addition to carbon monoxide leaks, we examine all of your furnace’s safety controls and features for additional peace of mind.
• Inspections. We check every aspect of your furnace, from the pilot light or igniter to the heat exchanger and flame operation. These inspections help us identify potential problems early and also keep your system running efficiently. 

WHEN TO SCHEDULE A FURNACE TUNE-UP

Both new and older heating systems benefit from regular tune-ups. These services keep older furnaces functioning effectively and can help new furnaces last for their projected lifespan of 20 years or more. 

At A Custom Services, we strongly recommend regular preventive maintenance for your HVAC system. Our normal schedule includes a fall furnace tune-up and a spring AC tune-up to keep your system in peak condition throughout the year. 

If you’re still wondering, “what is a furnace tune-up?” or want to learn more about their residential and commercial HVAC services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with A Custom Services today!