Tuning Your Furnace Up in Late Summer So You’re Ready for Winter

When the weather begins to cool down toward the end of summer, it's time to think about getting your HVAC serviced for the fall and winter heating season. Since your furnace has been idle for months, it needs to be serviced by a professional to ensure it's safe to operate and ready to keep you warm throughout the winter. Here are some important things local HVAC services might do during a fall furnace tune-up.

Test Carbon Monoxide Level

The HVAC service technician wants to ensure your family isn't at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. To do this, they check the carbon monoxide level to make sure it isn't high. They also check for problems in the furnace that allow carbon monoxide to leak in your home, such as a crack in the heat exchanger or a blocked exhaust vent.

Clean the Furnace

Cleaning is one of the most important tasks done during an annual furnace service call. Dust can become a problem for the blower fan. The blower fan runs all summer when the AC is on, and it accumulates dust that can clog the spaces between the small blades. The HVAC service technician may pull the fan out of the furnace and clean it thoroughly. They'll also check for signs of damage to the fan and make repairs if needed.

While the blower is out, the technician may also check the blower motor and lubricate parts that need it. They may also need to check and change the belt if your furnace has one.

Another area of the furnace that needs to be cleaned is the combustion area. The technician wants to remove dust and soot so the area is clean and the gas burns properly. They may clean the ignition parts and burners so the flame burns blue rather than yellow since a yellow flame is a sign of dirty burners.

Check and Clean the Condensate Trap

If you have a high-efficiency furnace, it has a drain that removes condensation away from the furnace. The drain has a trap that keeps exhaust fumes from escaping, and this trap needs to be cleaned during a service call. In addition, the technician looks for damage to the drain system and removes clogs to ensure water will drain away as it should once you start using your furnace daily.

The service technician also checks things like the control panel for error codes and loose connections so any minor problem that's found can be fixed before it turns into a problem that affects the operation of your furnace. An annual furnace tune-up is an important part of keeping your furnace in good shape, and it helps prevent breakdowns that leave you in the cold.