What to Expect From Your Fall Furnace Inspection
Have you scheduled your fall furnace inspection yet? Perhaps you hesitate because you’re not sure a tune-up is really necessary this year. After all, isn’t a tune-up basically a quick filter replacement and glance at system parts to ensure everything looks good? That’s about as much as you could do without any training, but a technician conducting a thorough fall furnace inspection does far more than this.
Assuming you hire a reputable contractor who knows what they’re doing, you can expect a technician to perform the following tasks to get your system ready for the winter:
- Change the filter (a task you may need to repeat as often as monthly during the heating season)
- Check wiring for corrosion
- Tighten electrical connections
- Perform an amp-draw test on the blower motor
- Clean the blower wheel
- Check the condensate drain for blockages that cause leaks
- Make sure the fresh air intake grills and louvers are not blocked
- Check the burners for proper ignition
- Inspect flame characteristics for safe operation
- Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, rust or other problems
- Ensure the blower access door seals tightly when closed
- Analyze combustion gases for safety purposes
- Check the vent system for blockage or air leaks
- Inspect the thermostat calibration and advise the homeowner on how to program energy-saving setbacks
- Lubricate all moving parts to reduce friction and decrease electricity use
- Check system controls for safe operation
- Check the airflow rate and ensure accurate temperature rise
- Check all safety controls
- Inspect the belts and tighten or replace them if necessary
- Remove any loose dirt, soot or other debris from inside the furnace
- Ensure a tight seal between the furnace and the main ductwork
Clean and adjust the pilot light, if applicable Obviously, you get your money’s worth from a fall furnace inspection if you trust the job to a qualified professional.
For more information, or to schedule a visit from a trained technician, please contact Sobieski Services, Inc. today. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).
Image Credit: AMRosario
