Furnace Tune-up: Autumn Is The Time To Prepare for Winter
Summer is officially over. Autumn has arrived, and soon enough, winter will be here. In terms of temperature, it was a very hot summer. If the past few winters are taken as examples, we can expect another bitter cold winter. Chicago homeowners can start winterizing their homes now by having an annual furnace tune-up performed. Furnace Maintenance is essential to keeping your heating system performing properly all season long. From efficiency to reliability, yearly clean and checks give piece of mind to families throughout Chicagoland.
What is a Furnace Tune-up?
Obviously, your furnace is an important part of your home. It provides heat in the winter, and circulates cool air in the summer. As with all mechanical appliances, they need maintenance to perform correctly. Also, a yearly check-up allows a technician to identify and repair potential problems before they become an emergency. Furthermore, most manufacturers require annual inspections as a condition for warranty protection.
What A Furnace Clean & Check Involves
When you schedule an appointment for a tune-up, a technician will visit your home to physically inspect and clean your furnace. Depending on the age and condition of your unit, you can expect the process to take 30 minutes to an hour. The technician will perform the following tasks during the appointment:
- Check & Calibrate Thermostat.
- Clean Burners.
- Sweep out Heat Exchanger.
- Check heat exchanger for cracks.
- Vacuum out furnace. Oil Motors.
- Clean Pilot.
- Inspect chimney ventilation system.
- Check for carbon monoxide leaks.
- Check for gas leaks.
- Change filters (customer provides filters).
- Check wire connections.
- Check Safety and Operation of the unit.
How Much Does Furnace Maintenance Cost?
An annual heating inspection varies in cost depending on the company. A homeowner in Chicago can expect to pay anywhere from $90 – $150. Most heating and cooling companies offer specials in the early fall that provide additional savings. This is because they want to perform heating maintenance during the early autumn months. When the temperatures drop, these companies become busy with repair and replacement jobs. This is why September and October are the best times to have a furnace tune-up performed. When you have the service performed early, you can schedule when it is most convenient for you. Also, you can take advantage of coupons and sales.
With winter fast approaching, now is the time to schedule your yearly maintenance. When the cold does snap, you and your family will be ready.
