It’s Fall Furnace Inspection Time: Schedule Yours

When an experienced HVAC pro performs a yearly tuneup on your furnace, it not only keeps the equipment operating efficiently, it can save you from a mid-season breakdown by catching small problems before they escalate. As a general guide, here’s what an expert fall furnace inspection should include:

• Testing the thermostat calibration and accuracy to ensure optimal comfort and energy savings.
• Inspecting and cleaning the blower assembly to maintain vital airflow and protect sensitive components.
• Checking the accuracy of the fan control to ensure it’s starting and stopping at the correct temperature setting.
• Lubricating the motor’s moving parts to reduce friction.
• Inspecting the exhaust system and flue for leaks or obstructions that allow toxic combustion fumes to escape.
• Replacing the furnace filter to prevent airflow restrictions.
• Inspecting the heat exchanger(s) for cracks or separations that create a risk of a carbon monoxide (CO) leak.
• Testing the start up cycle to verify that the furnace starts, runs and shuts down properly.
• Checking the system’s safety controls to prevent overheating and the danger of fire.
• Testing the motor voltage and current, and tightening all electrical connections so that the furnace operates safely and reliably.
• Checking for proper burner function, and cleaning it if necessary.
• Examining the fuel line and all connections to identify any leaks that pose a fire hazard and allow noxious fumes to reach the living areas.

If you don’t have experience with furnace maintenance and care, the above tasks are best left in the hands of a skilled professional, but you can tackle these routine chores:

• For proper warm-air circulation, adjust the damper handles on your ducting supply trunks so they’re set for the heating season.
• Test the batteries in your programmable thermostat, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. Replace failing batteries as needed to ensure your comfort and safety.
• Check the furnace filter once a month during the heating season, and replace it whenever it starts to look dirty.

For more details on why a fall furnace inspection is essential to keep your Northeast Ohio home warm and comfortable this winter, contact us at Stack Heating & Cooling today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Cleveland, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace inspections and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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