The average home furnace has a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Routine maintenance, the original installation, and the power source also impact the lifespan of a furnace.
If your home’s current furnace was already there when you moved in, you have little control over the choice of power source and the installation.
But, one thing you can control is the maintenance schedule. A routine furnace tune up can make your system last much longer and work more efficiently.
Read on to learn what happens during furnace tune ups so you understand what you’re paying for and why you need one.
Table of Contents
Replace the Furnace Filter
All of the heated air in your home passes through the furnace filter. If you have pets in your home, your filter may fill up faster than normal.
A blocked furnace filter can raise your heating costs and make your system run longer than it needs to. That’s why replacing the filter is a key part of a tune up.
Check Connections and Belts
Another part of furnace tuning is to check the electrical hookups as well as the gas or oil supply lines. If anything seems loose, the technician will tighten it.
They’ll also check the tension on the belts that run the fan. If there’s a lot of wear, they’ll replace it or adjust the tension. This ensures that the fan can properly circulate air throughout your home.
Inspect Burners and Heat Exchanger
Your service technician will also inspect the burner system inside your furnace. These burners turn the fuel source, which can be either gas or oil, into heat. The burners should glow blue instead of yellow.
If there’s an issue with the burners, your technician may need to clean out some soot from the box. This will improve the safety of your furnace.
They’ll also check the heat exchanger. The heat from the burners transfers to the heat exchanger before it travels to the fan. They’ll make sure this is working properly too.
Test Voltage, Ignition System, and Carbon Monoxide Levels
Once they’ve checked the burners, they’ll also evaluate the electrical voltage and the ignition system. Your electricity triggers the furnace to turn on when the thermostat drops below a certain temperature.
They’ll make sure there’s a proper amount of voltage going to the furnace. This will protect your home’s electrical system as well as protecting your furnace from getting too much electricity.
They’ll also check the carbon monoxide levels. If the burners don’t burn cleanly or there’s a leak in the exhaust system, it can lead to carbon monoxide. They’ll check for these problems to keep you and your family safe.
Schedule a Furnace Tune Up Today
A furnace tune up will keep your furnace running in top shape. The technician will check all the connections, replace the filter, and make sure all the components are working correctly.
To get more tips on maintaining your home and improving your lifestyle, keep scrolling through our blog.
