A furnace check-up is an important part of extending the longevity of your heater. Although most homeowners know it has to be done, many ignore it and risk losing their only heat source in the winter months. Tune-ups keep your furnace operational and offer other cost-saving benefits.
Heater Tune-up Benefits
Your furnace is responsible for more than just heating your home. It provides circulation, clean air, and a cozy environment late at night. Regular tune-ups:
Reduce Your Energy Bill
Your furnace is responsible for up to 50% of your utility bill during the winter months. An inefficient furnace causes huge energy bills. A maintained furnace can reduce your energy bills by up to 30%.
Furnaces under ten years old only need tune-ups once a year, while all others should have maintenance performed twice a year. Getting a tune-up during the fall months helps ensure it operates correctly before the winter months hit.
A tune-up in the spring — after your furnace has done so much work to keep you warm — is also recommended.
Maintain Your Manufacturer’s Warranty
When you purchased your furnace, you either received a 10-year warranty or were given the option to buy an extended warranty. In either case, to maintain the warranty coverage, you must provide proof of professional tune-ups if something goes awry.
Reduce the Chance of Breakdowns
You don’t want your furnace to break down in the middle of winter. It will be cold, and this is the busiest time of the year for HVAC technicians. It may be difficult to get someone to your home. Tune-ups help technicians discover problems before they occur, so you’re not stuck freezing by the phone.
Improve Your Air Quality
Your furnace cycles air through your home. A well-maintained furnace sucks stale air out of your home, funnels it through an air filter, and sends the cleaner air back into your rooms.
The furnace sucks up pet dander, dust, and dirt during this process and removes it from your living space. If you’re not maintaining a proper airflow throughout your home, you may notice excessive dust or some of your family members may show respiratory issues like coughing or sneezing.
Furnace Tune-up Checklist
A tune-up may not sound like much, but it involves a fair number of important steps, including:
- Lubrication of moving parts
- Electrical inspections
- Testing of ignition and carbon monoxide levels
- Adjustments where needed
- Calibration of the thermostat
- Replacement of worn belts
- Filter replacement
Whether you need an oil heater tune-up or a gas heater tune-up, the inspection process is pretty much the same.
How Much Does a Heater Tune-up Cost?
Nationally, the cost is between $50 and $300. It depends on furnace age, type, size, and how well it’s been maintained previously.
Furnace filters need to be replaced every 1 to 6 months. You can buy filters that last one, three, or six months, but their lifespan also depends on how often you run your furnace and whether you have pets.
Pet dander, dust, and dirt decrease a filter’s lifespan. So if you have pets, check the filter halfway through its listed lifespan to verify it doesn’t need changing early.
HVAC Company Performing Heater Tune-up Near Me
If you live anywhere in Northeast Ohio, you’re in luck. Hearn Plumbing Heating & Air can provide all of your heating needs. You don’t need to Google “heater tune-up specials near me” or “furnace tune-up cost near me” to find the best deal and best overall prices. Contact Hearn today to prepare your heater for the winter.