Your furnace has been alive and well for a while, but has it been okay for a suspiciously long time? You can’t really anticipate when a furnace is going to run into problems which is why annual maintenance is the best preventative measure against furnace breakdowns.
You should always call for furnace repair services when your furnace is on the fritz, but for now, let’s do what we can to make sure it stays in great working condition for as long as possible.
When you call for maintenance, this is what happens to your furnace and how you can expect the process to go (most of the time).
Cleaning All Furnace Components
Your furnace works better when it’s clean. It’s a combustion-based machine: soot and debris are bound to get inside and coat some of the components. When left unchecked for long enough, this buildup can inhibit operation.
But it’s not just what you can see on the outside–technicians clean the interior of your furnace to ensure it’s working properly. During cleaning, they also begin taking care of the second point on this list: inspection.
Inspecting Parts for Damage Or Wear and Tear
Your technician will make sure every single part of your furnace is working as intended. As they’re cleaning everything off, they also lubricate the parts that require it so everything can continue working like a literal well-oiled machine.
When some components show wear and tear, they tell a story of what’s going to happen next. Depending on how damaged a component is, your technician will suggest a replacement part to prevent any future breakdowns from occurring.
This point of inspection focuses on individual parts, but there’s more that has to happen before your technician can just pack it up and call it a day.
Fuel Line Checkup
Fuel lines don’t often run into problems, but when they do, they’re critical and need to be addressed immediately. Your technician will inspect fuel lines for cracks, leaks, or damages of any sort, and check on the gas pressure as well.
Detailed Inspection to Ensure Everything’s All Right
Full system inspection looks at your entire furnace to diagnose potential problems. This step looks for problems such as:
- Blocked blower motor fan
- Safety control option issues
- Startup cycle hiccups or problems
- Clogged or aged air filters
- Flame sensor reading malfunctions
- Heat exchanger cracks or damages
- Blockages in the ventilation or ductwork
- Lack of lubrication on moving parts
One of these problems can quickly cascade into another. Without lubricated parts, metal pieces can grind and impact safety controls. With clogged air filters, you can put extra stress on the ductwork, and so on.
Your Expectations During Furnace Maintenance
Maintenance keeps your furnace running and staves off breakdowns and disasters down the road. It’s a service that saves you money in the long run and helps you know what stage of life your furnace is at.
Between cleaning, replacement parts, and a detailed inspection for your safety and peace of mind, maintenance pays for itself. It’s time to make the call.
Contact Area Heating & Cooling, Inc. today to schedule your next furnace maintenance appointment as soon as possible.
