Fall is here, which means that another biting Minnesota winter is right around the corner. The last thing you want is to be caught with a furnace that’s not up to speed. It’s time to schedule a fall furnace tune-up. However, it’s important to recognize that not all furnace tune-ups are the same.
Some so-called professionals will do little more than a once-over vacuum clean and sweep and call it a day. Aside from having a negative effect on your furnace’s efficiency, improper maintenance can run the risk of violating the warranty. That’s not all. An incomplete or negligent tune-up carries the following risks:
- Fire hazard from faulty gas or oil connections
- An increase of the amount of electricity used due to poor lubrication of moving parts
- Hazardous operation – and reduction in the longevity of components – due to faulty electrical connections
- Wasting of energy because of faulty thermostat – even when you’re not at home
To ensure a safe, life-prolonging fall furnace tune-up, a maintenance professional should run a multi-point check of your system that includes:
- Checking the heat exchanger for rust, corrosion, and leaks
- Checking for carbon monoxide emissions
- Inspecting and cleaning the main burner, pilot, igniter and flame sensor
- Checking the flame and adjusting as needed
- Checking gas pressure, and adjusting as necessary
- Lubricating bearings and motor if needed
- Checking air filter
- Checking all operating and safety controls
- Inspecting and cleaning ventilation from furnace exhaust
- Making all necessary adjustments for optimal efficiency
There are some things you can do yourself. Always keep the furnace area clean of debris, dust and clutter. You should also check the air filter yourself on a regular basis and change it when it looks dirty. Ask a professional if you’re unsure of how to do this.
Ensuring your Twin Cities home will remain warm and cozy through the long winter haul should be your highest priority this fall. Protect your investment by ensuring that your furnace is up to the task.
For more home heating solutions, contact the friendly HVAC professionals at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning Co., Inc.
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Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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