The days and nights are getting cooler in Southwest Ohio, and you’ve likely already turned on your heat a few times. It’s not too late, however, to schedule your autumn furnace tune-up to get these far-reaching benefits:
- Increase your system’s efficiency.
- Lower energy bills associated with heating your home.
- Extend the operating life of your furnace.
- Lower your carbon footprint.
- Prevent common furnace problems during the coldest months of the year.
- Help ensure the safety of your family during the heating season.
Tune-up tasks vary among different contractors, but a reputable, qualified HVAC company will include these essential checkpoints in your furnace service:
- Lubricate the moving parts of your system to prevent friction.
- Remove dust from inside your system.
- Clean and inspect the blower assembly for optimum airflow.
- Inspect your heat exchanger for cracks, corrosion and other damage.
- Check for dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.
- Inspect wires and terminals for corrosion.
- Inspect the vent system for obstructions and damage.
- Test the controls of your system to ensure proper cycling.
- Check the gas pressure and burner combustion to ensure they meet system specifications.
- Inspect your ducts for loose joints, obstructions and other damage to prevent air loss.
- Tighten gas and electrical connections.
- Measure the current and voltage on the motor.
- Check your thermostat for accuracy.
After your furnace tune-up, the continued safety and efficiency of your system is up to you. Before the heavy-duty heating season gets going, check these tasks off of your fall home maintenance checklist:
- Stock up on quality, pleated air filters. Check your filter every month and replace it when it’s clogged with debris. A clean filter ensures proper airflow to your system, prevents dust from building up inside, and improves your indoor air quality.
- Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Know the location of your gas shutoff valve and make sure it’s accessible in case of an emergency.
To schedule your autumn furnace tune-up in the Dayton area with one of our qualified technicians, please feel free to contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace tune-ups and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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