What’s So Special About a Furnace Inspection?

It’s easy to forget to have your furnace inspected and maintained when it’s working perfectly – after all, out of sight, out of mind, right? But, with the severity of our winters and the potential risk to comfort and convenience from losing home heating in subzero temperatures, furnace maintenance and furnace inspections should be considered an essential annual to-do. The last thing you need is to have your heat conk out when you need it most.

And not just that, an annual furnace inspection could help prolong your furnace’s life, keep it running efficiently and could help you save on your energy bills.

If problems arise and they’re ignored, even seemingly small things may start to break down, and your repair bills could add up quickly.

To help avoid potential furnace problems, we recommend you have a technician perform a furnace inspection. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers that could be helpful:

Why Should I Have a Professional Perform a Furnace Inspection?

Like your car, a furnace is made up of complex parts, all working in perfect harmony – most of the time. Some equipment parts, like filters, are easy to inspect and replace. But many other components are best looked at by someone who has been specially trained, like a Reliance™ technician.

When Should I Have My Furnace Inspected?

If you suspect a problem, your furnace should be checked out immediately – you can book an appointment here. But for preventative maintenance, it’s recommended that you schedule a furnace inspection before the cold weather hits – usually in September or October.

What Should I Do before the Furnace Inspection?

Before the visit, ensure your furnace room is clear of clutter and remove any items you have stored near the furnace or in the path to the equipment. A well-lit area is important too, so ensure any burned-out bulbs are replaced. It’s also handy to have a spare furnace filter on hand so that if the technician checks the filter system and finds that the filter needs to be replaced, they could install the new filter for you on the spot.

So, What’s a Furnace Tune-Up, Exactly?

A tune-up is a preventative maintenance that helps keep your equipment in good working condition. During a tune-up inspection, a fully-licensed technician will check all the major components used to generate and circulate warm air. The technician will also measure carbon monoxide (CO) levels inside the furnace exhaust and in your home to help ensure you and your family are safe.

Different maintenance packages may be available depending on the company with whom you choose to work. Reliance™ offers 12-point and 21-point furnace tune-ups.

What Does a 12-Point Tune-Up Offer?

A 12-point tune-up inspects, you guessed it, 12 major furnace components to ensure your unit is in good working condition. This includes checking the thermostat settings and location and inspecting the heat exchanger. If you have a primary and secondary heat exchanger, both will be checked. The technician will inspect the fan and lubricate it if necessary. The technician will also examine the pilot burner and flame rod, cleaning them if needed. The safety controls will be inspected to help ensure that your furnace is in good working order.

The heat rise will be checked and adjusted if needed. Importantly, the air inside the flue and atmosphere will be tested for carbon monoxide levels. Then, the technician will ensure the humidifier damper position is correct and the gas piping is up to code. Finally, the chimney or venting system will be assessed to ensure proper flow and condition.

What Does a 21-Point Tune-Up Offer?

In addition, they’ll check the condensate pump and lines and clean them, if required. The firing rate and system airflow will be reviewed along with the electrical connections, and any loose or dirty connections will be tightened and cleaned. They’ll show you where the system switch, or breaker, is located and will perform a camera inspection which helps to find cracked heat exchangers.
Visit our Tune-Up page to book your preventative maintenance appointment!

Interested in learning more about heating your home? Be sure to read our Ultimate Furnace Guide!

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