A furnace tune-up is seasonal maintenance. It involves a multipoint inspection, cleaning the equipment, and correcting normal wear and tear. This service extends to the blower, wiring, igniter, burners, heat exchanger, and other components. Most experts recommend scheduling early in the fall before you need to turn on your heat. This way, a trusted HVAC technician is the first person to activate your heating system each year. Many homeowners view furnace maintenance as an additional expense, but it can actually save you money in the long run. Let’s explore how a tune-up does that.
Lower Energy Consumption
A tune-up helps you save money by lowering your month-to-month heating costs. This is possible because your technician will clean and adjust the components for optimal efficiency. The industry measures furnace efficiency with an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. A furnace with an 85 AFUE rating indicates it wastes 15% of the fuel it burns. That’s when the furnace is operating optimally. The problem is that furnaces are susceptible to dust and carbon buildup on their components over time. The efficiency loss due to this buildup over a heating season is often between 5% and 20%. That’s a dramatic difference, and your technician can eliminate that loss. That means you may be able to significantly lower your annual heating bills by scheduling service.
Thermostat Testing and Calibration
During a tune-up, your technician will remove the thermostat faceplate and clean the contacts. This is important because dirty contacts can result in an inaccurate temperature reading. Your technician will also calibrate the thermostat and ensure that the temperature reading is accurate. It’s also an opportunity to discuss your current thermostat with them and determine if an upgrade could benefit you.
If you’re still using a basic thermostat, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. The Department of Energy estimates that these devices can reduce annual heating costs by up to 10%. That’s possible through scheduling. Your system will use less energy at night when everyone sleeps and during the day when family members leave for work or school when your thermostat automatically adjusts to a more economical temperature during these times.
Optimize Your HVAC Filter
A filter check is part of routine furnace maintenance. Your technician can replace the filter as needed, which may be an additional charge. There are benefits to purchasing your filter through your HVAC company. One is that your technician will install a high-quality filter that may last the entire winter. Still, you should check it at least once a month. Replace it as needed, or call your HVAC provider to come out and replace it. The other consideration is the minimum efficiency reporting value. The higher the MERV rating, the higher the level of filtration the filter will provide. The issue is that you can’t go too high, and your technician will ensure that you don’t. If you exceed the system’s limitation, the filter will restrict airflow too much. That will decrease energy efficiency and increase your heating costs. That’s also what happens when you continue to use a dirty filter.
Avoid Expensive and Inconvenient Repairs
Having your furnace break down mid-winter is a headache and often a significant expense. The good news is that routine maintenance prevents many of the most common furnace issues you may encounter. For instance, a tune-up helps you avoid breakdowns related to ongoing wear and tear. Your technician can also recommend proactive repairs. This is where you replace a degrading part before it stops working. It’s an expense but usually cheaper than an unexpected repair. You can also schedule the repair visit at a time that’s convenient for you and when you don’t need your heat. There are several problems a tune-up can prevent.
- Ignition faults
- Clogged flues
- Cracked heat exchangers
- Blower malfunctions
Extend Equipment Lifespan
Tune-ups don’t just save you money in the short term. They also save you money by extending equipment life and lowering your total cost of ownership. A well-maintained furnace can last 20 years or longer, which makes it an even better value. The average furnace lifespan is just 15 years. That means that there are a lot of systems out there failing after 10 years or even sooner. In some cases, it’s a manufacturing defect. In most cases, it’s because the owner didn’t maintain their furnace well. Cleaning the equipment, lubricating moving parts, and replacing worn parts adds years to a furnace’s life.
Maintain Efficiency in Older Systems
Loss of efficiency is one of the top reasons homeowners have to replace furnaces that are still running. With proper maintenance, you can have an old furnace that’s nearly as efficient as the day you installed it. Without it, you can expect a gradual and often unrecoverable loss of efficiency. The decrease in efficiency depends on your system, but the industry estimates that it’s often about 1% a year. Consider a furnace that has an 80 AFUE rating and is now 10 years old. It could be operating at a 70 AFUE level. That means it’s only successfully converting 70% of the fuel it burns into heat rather than 80%.
Keep Your Warranty Valid
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that their HVAC warranty’s coverage is contingent on a seasonal tune-up performed by a certified technician. After completing the service, the technician will provide you with documentation. It will indicate the date of the service and detail the work performed. In the event you need to make a warranty claim, you’ll need to provide this documentation. If you don’t have it for each year you’ve had the furnace, the manufacturer can deny the claim.
Eliminate Air Leaks in Your Ducts
According to the Department of Energy, faults in your ductwork can result in losing as much as 20% of the heating your furnace produces. That results in a significant increase in heating costs over an entire winter. It’s important to note that a standard furnace tune-up doesn’t include a camera inspection of your ducts. However, you can schedule an appointment for this service with your technician during a tune-up. You should have a ductwork inspection at least every other year.
Through an inspection, a professional can determine if you have significant dust and debris accumulation that can affect airflow and efficiency. If so, duct cleaning will correct that issue. If your ducts have gaps, which is a leading cause of air leakage, duct sealing is the solution. Your technician can also repair your ducts, including replacing damaged sections and mounting hardware.
Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up in Frederick
At Markool Heating & Cooling, we have been serving the residents of Frederick, MD and the surrounding areas since 2016. We install, maintain heating systems, and repair heating and cooling systems. We can also help with all your plumbing needs, including drain cleaning, repiping, and sewer repair. Contact us today to schedule an HVAC appointment with one of our talented technicians.
