Heating System Tune-Up and What it Means for Your Furnace?

What is a heating system tune-up? Sure, that’s an easy question with an easy answer. It is about central heating services getting your furnace thoroughly checked for defects and having it clean and free of any form of dirt to prevent malfunctions. It helps the system run smoothly for a long time. Simple, straightforward, and effective.

Is that all there is to a heating system tune-up? Is it really simple and straightforward? Or is there more to it than conducting an inspection and keeping it clean?

Getting a good system tune-up can be likened to preparing a good meal. You have to make sure that every ingredient is available, of good quality, and ready to use to get the perfect recipe. The same process works for your furnace which is a mechanical system that is made up of different components that work together to produce one result.

Mechanical systems have moving parts that require constant cleaning to remove dirt, grime, and residues from its mechanical functions. Some parts within these machines need adjustments to make sure they aren't loose or worn down that can lead to disastrous outcomes such as a malfunction or sudden stoppage of operation.

If proper maintenance isn't done on a regular schedule, any machine, including furnaces, will eventually stop working. And that's why check-ups and tune-ups are important.

To some extent, furnace maintenance can be done by you. Non-complex things like changing the filter every 30 days, replacing the smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector batteries once a year, or sealing obvious air leaks in the attic or ducting system are safe for you to do on your own. But this is not advisable for people who know nothing about the basics of HVAC maintenance.

Better yet, contact a professional, especially for in-depth maintenance of this complex system. Video guides available online can only help do so much. Remember, technicians know these systems from the inside out. If you have doubts, hire one to help you.

Furnace replacement doesn’t have a definite schedule. Your systems lifespan will depend on how extensive the usage is, the contributing conditions affecting its functions, and its production quality. Maintenance and tune-up service can only help it work for so long, eventually, its service will come to an end.

Be mindful of the years the system has been in service. The frequency of repairs, the cost of every service visit, and the extent of the issue every time it will need parts repair or replacement can also tell you when is the good time for a replacement.