This is an article I wrote for Action Furnace Edmonton’s blog: http://edmontonheating.ca/furnace-tune-ups-benefit-homeowners/
Furnace Tune Ups Benefit Homeowners
October 22nd, 2012 by AmyHancock
Furnace tune ups and regular maintenance will increase the life of your furnace, your home’s efficiency, save you money, and eliminate potential health risks.
This morning’s weather forecast warned Edmonton of freezing temperatures, wind chills, and inevitable arrival of snow. Winter is happening and it is happening next week. Is your furnace ready for it?
As Albertans, we rely on our heating system but can let the years pass by without even looking or thinking about whether it’s running properly, efficiently, or even safely. Besides changing the furnace filter, you probably haven’t paid much attention to your furnace…unless it’s quit on you in the dead of night in the middle of January. Then you noticed it.
I was visiting my parents when their furnace kicked in. I was honestly startled by the sound of the fan rattling against metal and the furnace itself roaring like a lion. I asked my Dad how old his furnace was.
“42 years old. It’s vintage,” said Dad. It’s the original furnace, installed when the house was built in 1970.
Vintage is great if you are referring to a 1970 Dodge Charger. Even muscle cars can become nothing more than a noisy, dangerous, polluting pile of junk if they aren’t regularly inspected, repaired, maintained, and properly cared for.
If he isn’t ready to replace the old furnace, my Dad needs to start scheduling annual furnace tune ups, and take care of obvious minor furnace repairs. Do you?
Furnace Tune Ups Save Money
If your furnace is older there is a good chance it’s working too hard trying to keep your house warm. Things like dust build up in air ducts makes your system work harder and run longer to achieve a comfortable temperature and that lowers your home’s efficiency.
During furnace tune ups, technicians will inspect things like your thermostat, filter, motor blades, venting systems, burners, and many other parts of your furnace, to ensure it is running efficiently. They will inspect and clean drain lines, flame sensors, and even service your fan motor blades (Dad).
Many variables will be measured and recorded including: amp draw on your furnace, blower motor, inducer and gas valve; recording speed on low, medium, and high settings; recording temperature differential; and checking that the furnace runs okay overall. They will also set your gas pressure properly and your blower speed for optimal temperature rise.
After the inspection small repairs and replacing worn out parts might be recommended. Completing minor furnace repairs will prevent much larger, expensive repairs or replacements in the future. Just like a car, regular maintenance and inspections will give your furnace a longer life.
After your furnace is checked, tuned up, and repaired it will run more easily and won’t have to work as hard to heat up your house. You will start to see some savings on your monthly heating costs. For those of us who call Edmonton home, this is very important to us.
*Article written for Action Furnace Edmonton’s blog – http://edmontonheating.ca/furnace-tune-ups-benefit-homeowners/
Furnace Tune Ups Eliminate Health Risks
Having annual furnace tune ups will make sure that your heating system is not putting you or your family at risk.
The technician will inspect your furnace room for flammable items and other hazards that might increase the risk of fire. They will also inspect your furnace return vents, making sure that nothing is blocking them, reducing airflow, and your furnace’s efficiency.
They will be able to detect and remedy carbon monoxide leaks which are extremely dangerous to you and your family.
A Little Spending – A Big Savings
Spending a little money on your heating system now will prevent major repairs or even replacement in the future. It will increase your home’s efficiency and lower your heating bills, and will eliminate any current or potential health risks. Furnace tune ups benefit homeowners, especially if they’re sporting vintage furnaces.
Action Furnace is offering their complete WOW Tune-Up for just $79. Beat the start-of-winter rush and take care of your furnace. Tune ups can be booked by calling Action Furnace at 780-970-2777.