It’s that time of year again in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area when you should reach out to your home comfort contractor for your fall furnace maintenance appointment. Don’t wait until the high-demand season when technicians’ schedules become congested. Here are some essential tasks your technician will perform:
For all heating systems:
Inspect the heat exchanger for leaks, as leaks can mix combustion gas with your home’s air supply, posing a significant safety hazard.
Adjust boiler or furnace controls to optimize air and water usage for efficiency and comfort.
Examine the chimney and vent pipe for rust or damage.
If you’re contemplating replacing or upgrading your home heating equipment, your technician will conduct a combustion-efficiency test.
For forced-air heating:
Inspect the combustion chamber for leaks and cracks.
Adjust air temperature and blower controls.
Conduct a carbon monoxide (CO) test and address any issues found.
Remove visible dirt and rust from the boiler/furnace.
Lubricate and clean the blower.
Verify the flame color and strength, fuel input, and make corrections if necessary.
Ensure a secure connection between the ducts and furnace.
For steam heating systems:
Enhance heat exchanger efficiency by draining a small amount of water from the boiler to remove sediment.
Test the high-limit controls and low-water cutoff safety limit.
Clear sediment and debris from the float chamber to prevent clogging of the low-water limiter.
Examine a sample of water from the boiler, adding chemicals to prevent rust and sediment buildup.
Clean the heat exchange chamber.
For hot-water heating systems:
Inspect the high-limit control to ensure proper function.
Confirm that the pressure tank is filled with air, not water.
Clean the heat exchange structure.
Examine and perform performance testing on the pressure relief valve.
Are you ready for your home heating inspection and tune-up? Reach out to the experts at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning for your fall furnace maintenance. Visit our website to learn more about our comprehensive home comfort HVAC services or simply give us a call. Don’t delay, schedule your maintenance now before the cold weather arrives.