A furnace tune up cleans your home's heating and air system, allowing it to perform at its peak ability, while investigating the safety of your equipment for defective or damaged parts that can pose potential hazards.
There are several advantages to staying current and proactive as a homeowner that will save you money instantly with an efficient operating system, as well as long-term by extending the life of your climate control appliances.
Cleaning According to the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), the most common cause of system breakdown is dirt and dust build-up.
This occurrence not only tampers the quality of air your family breathes daily, it can be fatal.
Filters and filtering systems that are blocked or dirty can cause deadly carbon monoxide to back up in your equipment.
Safety The most dangerous risk your furnace can pose is exposing carbon monoxide (CO) to your household.
CO is a poisonous, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is caused by the incomplete burning of natural gas paired with any other material containing carbon.
Systems that are not regularly maintained are essentially time bombs ticking right down the hall from where you sleep.
Poor combustion devices containing cracks, holes, or metal fatigue should be detected by a professional service technician immediately.
Conservation A system that is not properly in tune will ultimately use more energy to provide the same climate control level in your home.
If your equipment has to work twice as hard, your utility bills will certainly reflect it.
Neglecting your home system can drastically shorten the life span of your appliance, forcing you to spend quite a bit of money to replace it.
Quality Many homeowners attempt a DIY (do it yourself) check up, which can seem like a wise decision for families on a budget.
A certified technician may complete the job in under an hour, leaving you to believe it is something you can handle on your own, or feeling ambitious to put your handy skills to the test.
Basic service includes the following steps.
Checking, adjusting, and cleaning: Blower compartments Thermostat calibration Temperature exchangers High limit and other safety controls Flue obstructions Belts for cracks and wear Manifold gas pressure and combustion openings Burner operation Pilot Thermocouple, replacing if necessary Fan control for accurate temperature rise Replacing standard filters Lubricating moving parts Tightening all electrical connections Checking gas line for leaks Replacing standard filters is the only procedure on the list recommended for owners, for valid safety reasons.
Certified professionals are equipped with extensive education, training, and experience that simply cannot be matched by DIY projects.
In addition, the annual professional service is reasonably priced, considering the amount of money you will save on utility bills with a properly running system.
Most importantly, a defective system is dangerous machinery.
Being conservative with finances is an admirable practice, but do not be mistaken.
It is not always worth the risk of your family's comfort, safety, and livelihood.