Furnace maintenance is an important part of caring for this appliance. It’s easy to forget about this process when you already have a packed schedule. However, maintenance offers numerous benefits that help keep you warm throughout the coldest months of the year. Learn more about what we do during a furnace maintenance appointment and why it matters for your home and safety.
Professional Furnace Maintenance vs. DIY
We strongly advise against skipping professional furnace maintenance appointments in favor of going the DIY route. Our HVAC technicians, being highly trained and experienced, are more likely to notice potential problems than someone without formal training and years of experience. You can also use the appointment as an opportunity to ask us questions, such as how you can increase your furnace’s efficiency and what air filters would be the best option for your system.
However, one homeowner-friendly maintenance task is changing the air filter, and it requires only a few minutes. A clogged air filter means your furnace must work harder to operate normally, which strains your system and increases your bills. Changing your filter offers several benefits, including improved indoor air quality, unrestricted air flow, enhanced appliance efficiency, better temperature control, and a reduced chance of needing repairs. It can also help reduce your utility bills. We suggest doing it every three months to help your system run smoothly or more often if you have pets in your home, frequently light candles, or have seasonal allergies.
Benefits of Furnace Maintenance
There are many benefits associated with furnace maintenance, including encouraging a longer lifespan and preventing more severe, costly problems. It can also help improve your indoor air quality. Additionally, maintenance can improve system efficiency and functionality, reducing your monthly energy bills. You can help prevent dangerous scenarios, such as hazardous carbon monoxide leaks, by scheduling an annual service appointment.
What Happens During a Maintenance Appointment?
Our HVAC technicians perform a range of standard maintenance tasks, but the exact services can vary depending on your furnace’s specific needs and condition.
Assessing the Thermostat
The homeowner plays an important role in alerting the technician that something is wrong with the thermostat. For instance, two signs of trouble are that the furnace keeps running and won’t turn off and that manual thermostat adjustments aren’t having an effect. An unresponsive or completely blank display screen is also a surefire sign of a problem.
During the maintenance appointment, the technician will perform important tasks, including evaluating the thermostat’s electrical wiring and testing the calibration. They’ll also change the batteries, if needed, as they usually need replacing annually.
After checking the thermostat, the technician can determine if it’s in good condition or needs repairing or replacing. The devices typically have a decade-long lifespan.
Checking for Safety Problems
One of the main priorities is identifying safety hazards, such as gas line issues. They’ll also make sure the system is working properly and identify potential problems in the works that need immediate attention or an emergency or follow-up repair appointment.
Your furnace is vulnerable to many types of problems that can lead to significant safety risks, and these issues can happen without you even knowing. Our professional technicians can spot these dangers and handle them efficiently and effectively. It’s much better for our team to find serious damage and safety issues before you turn your system on for the winter than after when you rely on the system the most.
Inspecting the Heat Exchanger
A heat exchanger in a gas furnace is an internal metal component that transfers heat from the burners to the air moving throughout your home. The combustion gases stay contained inside the exchanger and are vented outside. Heat exchangers are only in gas or oil furnaces, not electric ones.
This is a crucial component of the furnace, so any signs of damage are a serious hazard. The technician will look for cracks, holes, corrosion, and any other signs of damage that could allow carbon monoxide to leak into the home. Depending on the extent of the damage, the heat exchanger will need repairing, or the unit itself may need replacing.
Cleaning the Furnace
Dust and debris accumulate inside the furnace and on its components. This buildup can reduce efficiency, increase strain on the system, and raise your utility bills. A constantly strained system can also experience a reduced lifespan. Excessive dust and debris can cause the system to overheat, creating a potential fire risk. During maintenance, our technicians will remove as much debris and dust as possible to keep the appliance functioning correctly.
Lubricating Parts
Our technicians will lubricate any furnace parts that need it. Properly lubricating the internal components, such as the blower motor, helps them move seamlessly without experiencing wear and tear. This task assists with extending the lifespan of the components and the furnace itself, encourages proper operation, and reduces the risk of strain. It can also prevent the risk of repairs or a complete breakdown.
Checking the Electrical Wiring
The electrical wiring is crucial for your furnace to function properly. Problems with the electrical wiring can cause various issues, including fires, furnace shutdowns, and tripped circuit breakers. Our technicians will check all the wires to make sure they’re not frayed, corroded, worn down, or showing any other signs of damage.
Final Inspection Steps
We’re experts at furnace inspections, maintenance, and repairs, but that doesn’t mean we rush appointments or cut corners. Before leaving, we do a final inspection to make sure everything is working safely. This involves testing your furnace to ensure it’s blowing heated air properly without making any strange sounds or producing any worrisome odors.
When to Schedule Your Maintenance Appointment
We suggest scheduling a furnace maintenance and inspection appointment at least once per year. You should still schedule an annual furnace maintenance appointment even if everything seems to be working correctly with the appliance. There may be issues in the works that haven’t made themselves known yet. Our experienced HVAC technicians will find any issues during an appointment, determine the cause, and recommend a reliable repair.
It’s a good idea to call our team towards the end of summer to schedule your furnace maintenance appointment for early fall. You may be tempted to wait, but it’s crucial to plan for the unexpected. Having your maintenance appointment in early fall gives you time to schedule a repair appointment that works best for your schedule before you need to turn the heat on frequently. A routine furnace appointment typically takes a few hours.
We’re Your Furnace Experts in Mesa
Make sure you stay safe and warm throughout winter. Honest Air Conditioning in Mesa, AZ, provides comprehensive furnace maintenance appointments to ensure your system is functioning correctly. We’re also the HVAC company to call for installations, repairs, or replacements of your furnace or AC systems. Call us today to schedule an appointment or request an estimate or service through our website.