A fall furnace inspection is a necessity to ensure that your heating system is running safely, reliably and efficiently this winter. If you're like most homeowners, you rely on a skilled HVAC professional to tackle this vital maintenance that keeps your heating costs under control and catches small issues before they become expensive problems.
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Here are some of the many tasks a heating expert should cover during an inspection:
- Tightening electrical connections and checking the terminals and wiring for corrosion.
- Examining the fuel lines and connections for leaks to prevent harmful fumes from escaping.
- Cleaning and inspecting the blower assembly to assure adequate airflow and increase reliability.
- Lubricating the blower motor to prevent friction that increases energy consumption and shortens its life span.
- Testing for separations or cracks in the heat exchanger that can leak lethal carbon monoxide (CO).
- Checking the fuel burner and flame sensor, and cleaning both to ensure efficiency and safe operation.
- Testing the current and voltage going to the motor to prevent overheating and decrease the risk of fire.
- Checking for proper thermostat calibration and fan control accuracy to maximize heating efficiency and comfort.
- Inspecting the vent system and flue to ensure that combustion fumes are exhausting properly.
- Checking for proper function of the system's safety controls, including the high limit switch.
- Testing the accuracy of the startup cycle to verify that the furnace comes on, runs and shuts down as expected.
- Changing or cleaning the furnace filter to maintain energy efficiency and protect against damaging dirt build-up.
You can boost comfort, safety and energy savings by performing some basic furnace maintenance tasks after your professional inspection:
- Test batteries in smoke detectors, CO detectors and the thermostat regularly.
- Check for accumulated dirt on the furnace filter once a month, and replace it when necessary.
- Add a couple drops of oil to the blower motor oil cups periodically.
- Make sure the ductwork dampers are switched over to the heating season setting.
To schedule a fall furnace inspection in the Route 495/128 area of Norfolk MA, contact us today at Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
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