Is Furnace Maintenance Really Necessary?

Your furnace is one of the hardest-working appliances you’ll ever own. As a Colorado resident you know all about frigid wintertime conditions, and if you expect your furnace to keep up you’ll need to make sure it is well-maintained at all times.

The Inestimable Value of an Annual Furnace Inspection

To achieve the most benefits, you should have your furnace inspected and maintained on an annual basis. Probably the best time to make an appointment with your HVAC contractor for a maintenance visit is in the fall, shortly before the start of the next heating season. Doing it this way will ensure that your furnace is ready to hit the ground running as soon as it is needed.

It will also give you time to schedule repairs, or order new parts or equipment if your technician finds anything wrong. Should you wait until heating season starts to ask for an inspection, you run the risk of having your heating system shut down for repairs at a time when it is badly needed.

Most manufacturer warranties are considered null and void if you’re neglectful about maintenance. This is something to think about, if you’ve been lax about having your furnace checked and tuned on a regular basis.

What Does a Furnace Tune-up Entail?

When evaluating your HVAC system, no two HVAC contractors will follow the exact same checklist or adopt identical inspection techniques. Nevertheless, there are some core maintenance procedures that should be included in any HVAC technician’s inspection menu.

The parts of your furnace and HVAC system that require close scrutiny include:

• The venting system.
  Your venting system should be checked for blockages and leaks. A combustion analysis can detect potentially lethal carbon monoxide levels, which are one of the more serious risks you face if you have a gas furnace. Proper connections are necessary for safe operation, and if signs of corrosion are found action must be taken.
• The heat exchanger.
  Heat exchangers should be checked for signs of damage, including rust and corrosion, and a combustion analysis can confirm that the heat exchanger is functioning properly.
• The burners.
  The burners should always be kept clean, and they should be closely checked to make sure the ignition system is functioning.
• The flame sensor and ignition device (ignitor, thermocouple, etc.).
  These parts must be regularly cleaned and the proper readings must be maintained.
• Intake grills and registers.
  Grills and registers can quickly become clogged with dust and debris, unless they are cleaned frequently (you should clean them yourself between maintenance visits).
• The combustion blower.
  Noises in the bearings could mean trouble, as could blockages or problems in the electrical system.
• Primary blower.
  The blower wheel should be kept clean and free from debris, and an amp-draw test can confirm acceptable performance by the motor.
• Blower access door.
  The seal must remain airtight where it meets the furnace.
• The safety switches.
  If these switches should ever malfunction, it could lead to serious overheating and might even cause a fire in your HVAC system.
• Drainage system.
  Cleaning and inspection of internal hoses and condensate drains and traps are necessary to make sure nothing gets clogged or blocked.
• Gas pressure.
  A drop in pressure could mean there’s a leak, and gas leaks are never a good thing.
• Air filters.
  They should be changed at the start of every heating season (and cooling season, if you have an air conditioner).

The best HVAC contractors won’t skip any of these vital furnace maintenance practices. If your current contractor isn’t quite so diligent, they really don’t deserve your business.

Do I Really Need to Pay $150 for Annual Furnace Maintenance?

When you consider everything that might go wrong, an annual furnace inspection represents a rather modest investment.

Utility bills and repair bills will rise as your furnace’s efficiency of performance declines, and that could mean thousands of dollars of extra cost over a few years’ time if your furnace maintenance habits are inadequate. Even worse, an ill-maintained furnace could fail several years sooner than you expect, taking a massive chunk out of your bank account when you have to purchase new heating equipment.

All things considered, $150 for an annual furnace inspection isn’t bad at all. Of course, $95 for an autumn maintenance inspection and tune-up is even better, and that’s the price we’re currently offering our customers at ABE Heating and Cooling.

ABE Heating and Cooling Maintains its Reputation for Excellence

ABE’s price for an annual furnace inspection is well below the industry average. But the skill and expertise our certified technicians bring to the task is well above the industry average. That’s an unbeatable combination, and it’s a winning combination for you and your furnace . We are located in Brighton, Colorado and serve the entire Denver Metro Area, and we invite you to contact us today to discuss our furnace maintenance plans.