How often should a gas furnace be serviced and inspected?
The general consensus on the frequency of furnace inspections is once a year. Whether you purchased a new furnace a year ago or have been using the same one for a while now, annual inspections are recommended to troubleshoot any existing or potential issues.
How often should I Have my furnace serviced?
How often should I have my furnace serviced? Most homeowners have their furnace serviced once per year, but it is best to schedule service twice per year, once at the beginning of the heating season and once at the end. Regularly scheduled maintenance will help ensure optimal performance and allow you to address problems before they require ...
How often does a gas furnace need maintenance?
To keep your natural gas furnace operating efficiently, you should have at least an annual tune up. Natural gas furnace preventative maintenance will help avoid operating problems. When issues are addressed early on, it’s more likely that they can be resolved with minimal cost.
How to restart a gas furnace after a power outage?
The pilot valve, which controls the light, is located near the gas burners and is box-shaped:
- Turn the circuit breaker off for a minute, then turn it on.
- Switch off the gas control valve.
- Wait for at least 5 minutes so that the gas retained in the pipe dissipates. This will prevent a fire outbreak in your furnace.
- Turn on the gas. ...
- If you get a flame, confirm that everything is functional and put the access panel back into place.
Does a gas furnace need to be serviced every year?
All furnace manufacturers recommend that you have yearly maintenance performed by a qualified technician. Most furnace warranties state that any damage sustained to the unit due to a lack of regular maintenance will not be covered in the warranty.
What maintenance is required for a gas furnace?
It is recommended that every gas furnace owner replace or clean the filter continuously depending on the use. This is because it filters and traps dust, dirt and other debris. Check the filter and see if it has accumulated lots of dirt. If it is completely clogged, consider doing a replacement.
What happens if you don't service your furnace?
When you don't maintain your furnace, it doesn't take long for the air filter to become completely clogged with dust, debris and even mold. Once the air filter can no longer keep particles out, your furnace and your ducts become coated with these nasty airborne particles.
Does a gas furnace need to be cleaned?
To maintain your gas furnace and keep it running efficiently, we recommend annual servicing from a trained HVAC professional. At a minimum it should be cleaned at the beginning of each heating season, but repeating mid-year will help keep your gas furnace in peak condition and help prevent future problems.
Can I service my furnace myself?
Yes, furnace repairs can sneak up on homeowners. But before you panic, there may be a few furnace maintenance and repair items you can take on yourself. With over 100 years of experience in furnace repair, installation, and maintenance, we have a few tricks up our sleeve when it comes to home heating systems.
What is included in furnace servicing?
Furnace maintenance or furnace tune-up involves checking, cleaning, adjusting, lubricating, and testing all the system's essential components. Homeowners can choose to get a furnace tune-up at least once every year or before the cold season begins.
How long can you go without cleaning your furnace?
We usually advise that you schedule furnace maintenance every 1-2 years (ideally once a year) and duct cleaning at intervals of 3 to 5 years for a smooth-running system and excellent indoor air quality. That's the minimum.
How much does it cost to maintain a furnace?
The cost of a maintenance plan ranges from $200 to $400 annually. Most maintenance plans include 2 HVAC tune-ups per year (one for your AC and one for your heating system) and benefits such as discounts on repairs that are exclusive to maintenance plan customers.
How long does it take to service your furnace?
A furnace tune-up can take between an hour and a half to two hours. But it mostly depends on the age of your furnace. If they find you need more substantial repairs, it may take longer.
How do I know if my furnace needs cleaning?
Furnace Troubleshooting: 8 Signs Your Furnace Needs MaintenanceSwitching on and off too often. ... Noisy operation. ... Energy bills going up. ... Temperature inconsistencies. ... The thermostat doesn't respond. ... Excess dust in the building. ... Furnace flames are yellow or orange. ... You don't remember when you last had it cleaned.
How do I clean my natural gas furnace?
How to Clean a Gas FurnaceTurn off power/gas to the furnace. Turn off power to the furnace at the breaker box. ... Clean furnace surfaces. ... Remove the blower. ... Carefully clean the blower. ... Clean the pilot or hot surface igniter. ... Clean the flame sensor. ... Inspect the drive belt. ... Lubricate (but not too much).More items...•
How long will gas furnace last?
15 to 20 yearsTHE AVERAGE FURNACE LIFESPAN A well-maintained furnace can last at least 15 to 20 years, but completing annual maintenance and being diligent with repairs can extend its life even longer.
How important is it to service furnace?
To maintain efficiency levels, furnaces need to be cleaned at regular intervals, ensuring proper airflow and a reduction in the time taken to heat the air. If your furnace comes with a warranty, regular servicing of the appliance is essential. If you fail to do so, it may void the warranty.
Why is it important to service your furnace?
Furnace maintenance makes sure your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible. During your technician's visit, they are inspecting and cleaning the components of your HVAC system. When the parts of the furnace are properly inspected and cleaned, they help your furnace run more efficiently.
How often does an oil furnace need to be serviced?
once a yearYou should have your oil furnace serviced at least once a year. If the furnace is used more than average, you'll want to schedule routine service every six months.
How often should you have your electric furnace serviced?
once a yearYes, your electric furnace requires yearly maintenance—because all heating systems require it once a year. There are two specific reasons for maintenance that apply to all heaters: Reliability: Who wants to have equipment that's in danger of suddenly breaking down when it's needed the most?
How often should I change my furnace filter?
I always change up the filter when I do maintenance, but you should really be doing it every 2-3 months. This simple task in itself can prevent a whole host of problems. Your local HVAC pro can sign you up for a worry-free maintenance plan that includes regular filter changes.
What happens if your furnace heat exchanger is cracked?
When the heat exchanger cracks, your furnace could leak dangerous toxins like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and soot into your home. In large quantities, these substances can be very dangerous to your family’s health. Often this problem is caused by a dirty, clogged filter that restricts airflow, but it can be caused by a number of other issues as well. In any case, I always make sure I inspect the heat exchanger when I do maintenance to make sure that your family is safe.
How long can a gas furnace run without problems?
Extend the life of your gas furnace—and entire HVAC system: A healthy furnace free of leaks, cracks, and blockages can run with ease for many years without major problems, so keeping it maintained can save you from prematurely forking over the cash for a new furnace or an entire HVAC system.
Why should I invest in a gas furnace?
There are many other important reasons to invest in regular gas furnace maintenance, such as: Preventative maintenance against costly (and avoidable) expenses: Whenever I do maintenance, I usually find one or two little problems that aren’t causing any immediate issues, but that could lead to bigger problems over time.
Why is my pilot light not working?
A faulty pilot light: Sometimes this is due to a clog in the pilot opening ; other times, the pilot light button isn’t fully pressed and the gas valve isn’t all the way open. When I make furnace house calls, I always make sure to cover my bases and clean the pilot light, set the flame a little higher, inspect the pilot button, and open up the gas valve to get the pilot working again—all tasks you should leave to a pro.
What is a hero financing?
Wondering how to finance a new furnace, or maybe even new windows and plumbing? HERO is a unique financing option that helps California homeowners afford energy efficient upgrades to their home. Contact Bell Brothers, a HERO-approved contractor, to learn more. Our local HVAC, plumbing, and window specialists will walk you through the entire process, from applications to installation.
Should I tune up my furnace yourself?
If you’re now feeling inspired to tune up your furnace this fall before the cold sets in, I strongly recommend turning the task over to a professional. While you may be tempted to service it yourself, changing your own filter is as far as you should go on your own. Gas furnaces have the potential to be dangerous to deal with if you don’t know what you’re doing, so it’s best to let the pros handle the servicing for you. And, while they do, you can go out and enjoy a nice fall walk under the colorful Sacramento trees.
How Much Does The Service Cost?
One of the most common questions people ask when it comes to gas furnace service is how much does it cost. As we said, people feel like they’re was ting money when they don’t know why something is being done or why is it important. That’s one of the reasons they want to know how much does it cost – before they make a call.
Who Should You Hire To Perform An Inspection And Do The Service?
As we have previously said, this shouldn’t be a DIY job. It’s not that this is a complicated endeavour, but you do have to know what you’re doing and what you should be paying attention to. Contrary to popular belief, servicing the furnace is not the same as cleaning it – it’s quite more complex.
How often should I service my furnace?
According to Infiniti Air, you should perform service on your furnace once a year. By you should perform we mean you should hire a professional that knows how to properly do the job, we wouldn’t advise DIY-ing this unless you have some pretty significant experience in the matter, which we assume you don’t if you’re reading this. So, call a pro – it’s much safer and efficient in that way.
Do gas furnaces need a break?
Those who use gas furnaces know how hard working they become once the winter comes. Naturally, like every other hard worker, your furnace needs a break and regular maintenance, as well. That is if you want it to perform the way it should and we assume you do.
Is gas furnace maintenance free?
Considering that gas furnace inspection and maintenance isn’t free, many wonder do they really need to spend all that money on a service that may not be necessary. Well, contrary to popular belief, this service is quite necessary and should never be skipped just for the sake of saving some money. Sure, you might feel like you’ve thrown away some money, but in reality, you’ve saved thousands upon thousands of potential damages done by a faulty furnace.
Do furnaces have an expiration date?
Furnaces have a life expectancy and an expiration date just like any other man-made thing we use. Now, how long will they run – nobody knows. However, what we do know, is that if we keep these devices in the best shape possible, they’re going to last longer – a lot longer.
Is it hard to set a maintenance schedule?
Usually, when it comes to certain appliances, a regular maintenance schedule is quite hard to set. You see, sometimes it’s hard to see how anything would go wrong or affect the performance so we neglect the maintenance altogether.
Why is it important to maintain a gas furnace?
Aside from the fact that proper maintenance can allow your gas furnace to last for several years, proper maintenance ensures that the furnace is operating efficiently and effectively.
How to contact Service First Heating and Cooling?
In order to ensure that your furnace is cleaned properly, schedule a tech to come out and inspect your furnace today by calling Service First Heating and Cooling at (360) 591-7274.
Why is it important to keep up with home maintenance?
Staying up to date on routine home maintenance not only saves you money in the long run, but it ensures that your home is safe and secure. One piece of equipment in the home that many homeowners are unsure of how often to maintain is the furnace.
What is the job of maintaining appliances?
While it isn’t a glamorous job, it is a job that needs to be done and done well to ensure that your home is operating in an efficient manner.
Can you clean a gas furnace on your own?
Cleaning a gas furnace is possible on your own. With that being said, it does require some safety measures like making sure that the furnace and the gas have been powered off. It then requires cleaning of the furnace’s exterior and vacuum interior, followed by cleaning the blower, replacing the air filters, cleaning the pilot light, igniter, ...
Is it better to hire a professional to clean your furnace?
Hiring a professional to come provide maintenance, as well as a furnace cleaning, can not only save you time but can decrease the risk of any cleaning mistakes that could result in doing more harm than good to your furnace.
How Often Should the Furnace be Cleaned?
Before the cold weather hits, experts recommend having a professional service your furnace to keep it in good running order and prevent it from breaking down when you need it most.
How Much Does it Cost to Clean a Furnace?
Ask if that amount will come off your bill, if you have work done. On average, furnace cleaning costs $60 to $85. Technicians will make sure everything is safe, as efficient as possible, and running at peak performance.
What Does Annual Furnace Cleaning Involve?
Maintenance technicians will follow a checklist to cover all the important elements. Here are some things you can expect from a typical furnace inspection and cleaning.
What Should I Look for When Hiring an HVAC Technician?
Most states or cities license HVAC contractors. Check with your local licensing agency to see if the company is licensed, bonded and insured, and ask for references from the company. You can also search for licenses through Angi's License Check.
Why is it important to schedule furnace service in late summer?
Failure to perform needed maintenance is one of the most common causes of HVAC breakdowns. Because fall is the busy time for most HVAC companies , it's a good idea to call to schedule furnace service in late summer.
Why is my furnace red tagged?
In particularly unsafe situations, your furnace could be red-tagged, meaning it can't be activated until repaired. Not maintaining your furnace — whether it's gas or electric — can cause it to run less efficiently, making it work even harder, therefore increasing your monthly energy bills.
Why inspect electrical connections and testing voltage on the system components?
Inspecting electrical connections and testing voltage on the system components to prevent any component failure in the future
How often should you get your furnace tuned up?
To keep your natural gas furnace operating efficiently, you should have at least an annual tune up. Natural gas furnace preventative maintenance will help avoid operating problems. When issues are addressed early on, it’s more likely that they can be resolved with minimal cost. Worn out parts and clogged filters that happen over time can lead to more significant equipment failures.
Why do you need to check the blower door on a gas furnace?
The techs need to check the blower door (for hot air heating systems, popular with natural gas furnaces) to ensure the access door makes a tight seal.
What do techs check out burners for?
The techs check out the burners for efficient ignition and sufficient burner flame.
Do you need a tight seal on a furnace?
You need to have a tight seal to enable your furnace to operate correctly. Be sure your fresh air intake grills are not suffering blockages. The technicians check out your fresh air louvers to be sure you have no blockage to clear out. You need to have fresh air intake grills free of blockages.
Do heat exchangers need to be free of rust?
The heat exchanger needs to be free of rust and corrosion to do its job safely. Your techs will examine the heat exchanger to be sure it is not leaking dangerous carbon monoxide fumes. The furnace heat exchanger is necessary to heat your home safely. The techs check out the burners for efficient ignition and sufficient burner flame.
Do you need a fresh air intake grill?
You need to have fresh air intake grills free of blockages. Your qualified techs know how to clear blockages safely. The technicians examine your furnace’s heat exchanger for signs of rust or corrosion. The heat exchanger needs to be free of rust and corrosion to do its job safely.
Is there an industry standard for furnace tune ups?
Unfortunately, there is not an industry standard for a furnace tune up. Therefore, it is challenging to do an “apples-to-apples” comparison of pricing or services. Because “tune ups” from different companies vary greatly, it’s best to ask the company you’re considering what their technician will do exactly.
Why does my furnace not feel warm?
If you notice that your home doesn’t feel as warm as it should, it could be an indication of a problem with your furnace — or it could be as simple as the fact that your thermostat doesn’t have enough power to signal your heating system that it needs to cycle on . If your thermostat operates on batteries, be sure to replace them on a regular basis.
Why does one room not feel warm?
The solution may be as simple as making sure the vents in the room aren’t closed and aren’t obstructed by furniture, rugs, curtains, etc. When warm air from your furnace can’t be pushed out through the vents in your home, the result is a cold and uncomfortable space.
What does a heating professional do?
Additionally, a heating professional will check the overall safety of your unit. If you have a natural gas furnace, the technician will inspect the unit for natural gas or carbon monoxide leaks, which could result in a dangerous situation for you and your loved ones. If your unit operates on electricity, the tech will also look for frayed wiring, which could ultimately lead to a fire.
Do you need to tune up your furnace?
Many homeowners mistakenly believe that they don’t need to schedule a tune-up for their heating system each year if it was working “just fine” last winter. However, during its off-season, your heater likely collected a buildup of dust and grime. This can reduce the overall efficiency of your furnace. In turn, this could lead to a home that doesn’t feel as warm and cozy as it should, as well as higher energy bills.
What is the need to check wiring?
The wiring needs to be checked for corrosion and damage.
What gases must be analyzed and compared to the unit specifications?
Combustion gases must be analyzed and compared to the unit specifications.
Do furnaces need annual maintenance?
Furnace manufacturers all recommend annual inspections and maintenance by a qualified technician. They also have language in their warranties saying that damage to the units caused by improper maintenance is not covered under the warranty. Does this mean that an annual furnace checkup is really required, or the warranty is voided? Probably not, but it’s recommended. The best analogy is going to the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning; probably not necessary, but recommended.
Does a furnace need a tune up?
There seems to be no industry standard for a furnace (or boiler) tune-up, so what’s included in a “tune-up” will vary greatly from company to company. If you’re going to hire a heating contractor to do a tune-up on your furnace, ask them what they’ll be doing.
Does $80 cover trip charge?
In short, yes. This is what a professional charges — maybe even more. For most heating contractors, $80 barely covers the trip charge. Keep in mind, this isn’t just about safety; it’s also about preventive maintenance. It’s about sometimes catching a problem before your furnace quits working in the middle of the night.
Do you clean the condensate drain and trap?
The condensate drain and trap need to be cleaned, and the water replaced in the trap. The blower wheel needs to be checked for debris and cleaned if necessary (this requires complete removal of the blower wheel). An amp-draw test should be conducted on the blower motor and compared with what is listed.
