Have you ever woken up on the first cold day of the year to find out your furnace isn’t working when you need it most? We hope you haven’t! But this catastrophe is usually due to age or lack of maintenance and is, more often than not, preventable. Your technician will be able to tell you about potential problem areas when performing an annual service! Getting a yearly furnace tune-up has tremendous potential to catch even those minor furnace issues that turn into major problems just when you don’t need them.
In this blog post, we’ll outline a few of the things you might not know about a tune-up service and why they’re so valuable to the life of the furnace you invested in.
What Does a Furnace Tune-up Include?
A furnace tune-up is a comprehensive inspection and servicing of your furnace including the following:
- Inspecting the heat exchanger for cracks. Detecting even the smallest hairline cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger can prevent extreme harm or even death from a carbon monoxide leak. This is one of the most important parts of a furnace tune-up, especially as your unit nears the end of its life. For this reason, you should especially have tune-ups yearly if your furnace is over 10 years old.
- Examining internal parts for wear and tear. These inspections of parts will inform you of any weakness or potential part failure. Catching these failures before you need to rely on your furnace for the coldest days of the year is key to your comfort all winter long.
- Cycling the unit to test for proper furnace and thermostat operation. Getting a professional to examine if your furnace cycles properly will alert your technician of anything that’s out of the ordinary when it comes to operation.
- Lubricating parts as needed. Keeping your furnace’s components lubricated ensures not only a safe operation but also a long life for your furnace and its individual parts. This will prevent your unit from overheating and wearing your parts prematurely, causing your furnace to be out of commission when you need it most.
- Cleaning blower, fan blades, etc. Keeping your furnace free from dust will also keep it from overheating and circulating dust throughout the unit and your ductwork and home.
- Inspecting filter and changing as needed. A clean filter is key to getting the airflow you need when you run your furnace. It will also ensure that dust is not circulated through the ductwork at a time when colds and flu are at their highest! A dirty filter in the colder seasons is especially unsafe as you risk overheating and fires within the furnace.
- Inspecting electrical connections and wiring. Loose electrical connections also are a fire risk. Tightening these connections will ensure the proper function and safety of your unit.
When Should I Get a Furnace Tune-Up?
You should get a furnace tune-up in the fall, preferably before you start using it for the first time. Fall is the ideal time because a professional will be able to simulate a furnace cycle on a cool day to see how your furnace reacts to that ambient temperature. You won’t get the same results testing it in the summer, and it’s just not practical.
It is recommended by professionals that you get a furnace tune-up yearly or at the very least every other year. When you examine the steps listed above, you can see just how important it is to your safety—not to mention your home and HVAC investment—to get this service done regularly.
How Much Does it Cost?
Furnace tune-ups can cost anywhere from $50 to over $100 and this price varies by location, company, and extent of services included in their tuneup. Remember, however, it’s almost never wise to go with your cheapest option. Not only will you get less from the service than you deserve, but you’ll be paying for a service that isn’t worth even the low sum you’re paying. Invest the extra in an HVAC company and technicians you trust and you can rest assured that your tune-up will cover all the bases and actually be profitable for you as a homeowner.
Tune-ups are at no additional cost for homeowners on our yearly maintenance plan! Plus, any service they may need after their tune-up is at a reduced rate and our parts and labor are warrantied. Check out our yearly maintenance plans and add-ons!
How Long Does a Furnace Tune-up Take?
A furnace tune-up can take anywhere from forty-five minutes to two hours, again depending on the HVAC company, potential complications with your furnace, and the age of your unit. Again, here is another reason you don’t want to skimp when it comes to the price of your tune-up—if you find yourself paying the cheapest price, you might only get a glance at your tech before they’re right back out the door. Do your research and choose an HVAC company that gives you the time, service, and attention you deserve when it comes to your investment on HVAC equipment in your house.
Schedule a tune-up appointment hassle-free online!
Why Furnace Tune-ups are Necessary
As listed above, a furnace tune-up has the potential to detect anything from a carbon monoxide leak to a dusty filter. It’s beneficial from the point of view of your health, your safety, and your investment in furnace equipment, especially as your furnace gets older.
Additionally, some furnace manufacturers won’t cover damage in their warranties if it’s caused by improper maintenance!
We especially recommend tune-ups for households with sensitive or elderly family members. If you rely on your heat for a comfortable experience for your loved ones, be proactive and consider your yearly preventative furnace maintenance.
Schedule your furnace tune-up in Rockford, MI, or the surrounding areas.
When you come to Blakeslee & Son for a furnace tune-up, replacement, or repair, we can always guarantee you quality service. You and your comfort are our first priority. We make the process easy: Schedule your tune-up online or ask us about our Peak Protection Plan—where we follow up with you to schedule your furnace tune-up and offer you an exclusive discount on any repairs or service calls you may need. Perfect for the upcoming fall and winter season here in Michigan!
Blakeslee & Son services Rockford, Ada, Cascade, Forest Hills, Lowell, Cedar Springs, Comstock Park, Walker, Grandville, and more with heating, cooling, and plumbing year-round.
