What's Included in Furnace Maintenance Services?

Published 2/17/2025

Furnace maintenance involves a detailed inspection and upkeep of your heating system. Furnace maintenance will extend the lifespan of your heating unit, improve energy efficiency, and help prevent breakdowns. Many homeowners wait until something goes wrong before they call in help. Scheduling periodic service with a professional HVAC company like Mr. Duct will help keep your furnace in top condition.

Catch issues early with a seasonal furnace tune-up to ensure your HVAC system is prepared for peak usage. In this guide, we'll cover the role of your furnace, furnace maintenance checklists, signs of problems, benefits, and more. As the primary source of heat for many homes, furnaces are not something to neglect, especially in the Chicagoland area. Now let's jump into the following topics to learn more about furnace maintenance.

The Role of Your Furnace in HVAC Efficiency

The importance of your furnace in your HVAC system cannot be overstated. Its use extends beyond winter and plays a key role in your home's air conditioning. The furnace consists of integral components like the blower motor, which circulates air throughout the home. We'll break down the process for easier understanding.

Your furnace is like the heart of your home's HVAC system. For cooling, the thermostat signals the outdoor air conditioning unit to start running. The refrigerant absorbs the heat from your home and expels it outside. The refrigerant also cools the air in the evaporator coil, which is in the furnace. This is where your furnace's blower motor pushes the cooled air through your ductwork. A similar process is done for heating, where the furnace will produce heat and then distribute it throughout the home.

All this constant moving of parts will eventually introduce strain on the blower motor. This is why professional furnace maintenance services are needed to properly clean these critical components. A trusted furnace cleaning company like Mr. Duct can ensure that dust buildup does not affect your home's efficiency. These complex tasks should not be performed by inexperienced homeowners because of electrical and safety risks. Attempting to do so can lead to expensive damage and HVAC inefficiency.

Furnace Maintenance Checklist

Mr. Duct's furnace tune-up checklist will cover steps that can improve your energy efficiency. Optimized performance of the heating system can lead to cost savings on heating bills. A professional furnace maintenance service company will include the following work:

• Inspect and clean the burner
• Test ignition system
• Verify and adjust gas pressure
• Check and adjust the fan belt tension
• Inspect heat exchanger
• Test and verify system controls
• Lubricate motor bearings and moving parts
• Clean furnace interior and exterior
• Check connections to gas or oil lines
• Inspect the condensate drain and clear it if needed
• Test carbon monoxide levels
• Tighten all electrical connections
• Perform voltage and current checks
• Test exhaust system
• Change air filter
• Inspect and calibrate thermostat

How Often Should You Have Your Furnace Serviced?

You should have your furnace serviced at least once a year. This will allow a furnace maintenance service company like Mr. Duct to catch problems early. Regular tune ups can clean up blockages, improve efficiency, and extend the life of your furnace. The best time to schedule a service is either in the spring or fall, right before the harsh Chicagoland winter. Also, check your furnace's warranty for additional information on what's covered. Damage may not be covered unless regular maintenance is performed within the recommended timeframe.

Signs Your Furnace Is Experiencing Problems

As the winter months settle in, your furnace will be running more often. If your system is not well maintained, problems may arise during this time, leading to a chilly night. Keep an eye out for signs that your furnace may be experiencing issues. Warning signs include increased energy bills, frequent cycles, excess dust, and more. A furnace cleaning company like Mr. Duct can inspect your system for deeper issues. Let's get into more detail about each of these warning signs of problems in your furnace:

• High Heating Bills - As your furnace ages, it loses efficiency and increases your heating bills because the heating system runs more often.
• Yellow Pilot Light - Your furnace pilot light should be bright blue. If it appears yellow, this could be a dangerous sign that your furnace has a carbon monoxide leak. If this is the case, contact your professional furnace maintenance technician immediately.
• Strange Pops / Other Noises - Pop and squeak noises coming from your furnace could signal that something is not installed properly.
• Frequent Cycling - This is a good indicator of a malfunctioning furnace, which can cause overheating.
• Increased Cold Symptoms - Family members can experience more cold-like symptoms when a furnace has a carbon monoxide leak or poor ventilation. Consult a professional HVAC cleaning service like Mr. Duct to test your home for monoxide leaks.
• Old Furnace - The average age of a furnace is 20 years. Some units can last longer with proper furnace maintenance. Check the age of your heating system by looking at the labels attached to the unit. As your furnace ages, the efficiency will start to decrease.
• Dust Buildup Around Vents - Have you changed your furnace filter recently? It might be a good time to replace your furnace filter if you notice dust around the vents.
• Soot - Furnace soot is a black powder that builds up inside when fuel is not burned completely. This can be a sign that you have a clogged burner.

Annual Furnace Maintenance Benefits

Getting an annual furnace tune-up by a furnace cleaning company will have many benefits leading to better home care. Understanding the importance of your furnace will help you take the right steps to extend the lifespan of your unit. Advantages of annual furnace cleaning services include effective home heating, lower energy costs, improved air quality, and risk prevention. Schedule furnace maintenance with Mr. Duct for a thorough inspection.

Schedule Furnace Cleaning, Repair, & Replacement Now

This guide highlights the importance of furnace maintenance. Regular inspections and tune-ups can help prevent problems, increase energy efficiency, and improve safety. Performing complex furnace cleaning tasks can be dangerous, so it's best to contact a professional HVAC company like Mr. Duct. If you suspect the need for furnace repair or furnace replacement, we'll guide you through the process to ensure the best approach or service. Schedule and appointment today, and take advantage of Mr. Duct's furnace cleaning coupon

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