Keeping your furnace in good working order requires routine maintenance and tune-ups by a professional. Having your furnace inspected annually by a professional technician helps prevent costly repairs by identifying problems early and fixing them before they damage the entire unit. Routine inspections are also important for warranties, as many have requirements for annual tune-ups. Having your furnace looked at before the cold months gives you confidence that your heat will kick on and warm your home when you need it most. At First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, we provide several routine services for our customers in the Metuchen, NJ, area.

Check Your Air Filter

A furnace air filter traps dust, dander, and allergens to produce healthier air circulating through your home. Your filter also works to protect your furnace from dirt and debris that can have damaging effects on the many parts and components of the unit. When the filter becomes dirty, it is no longer able to work as well. Having a professional clean or replace your air filter means better air flowing through your house.

Inspect Your Vents and Air Intake

Having a professional inspect your vents to remove blockages means better airflow throughout your residence. A professional HVAC technician will inspect ducts and vents to make sure they are clean and free from obstruction. The technician will also look for signs of poor insulation, which could allow heat to escape prematurely, leading to inefficient heating of your home. Faulty seams and improper connections are also problems your ducts may have that allow heat to escape where it shouldn’t. Faulty or blocked ducts are a primary cause of inconsistent heating in the home. Your furnace can be in top-operational shape with no signs of damage or failure while your ductwork and vents are causing the problem. In order for your home to heat properly, your vents need to deliver warm air where it is intended to go.

Inspect and Clean the Blower

The blower on your HVAC system is one of the most integral parts since it is what forces the hot air through the ducts. If your blower quits working, the air will not circulate. An HVAC technician will inspect your blower to ensure it is in proper working condition and clean it to remove dirt and debris.

Inspect Electrical Connections

Electrical connections and wires are what keep your furnace or heating system running. Without electrical power, the motor of your furnace will not even start. When your furnace stops clicking on, the electrical connections are a starting point in troubleshooting the problem. Having this part of your system inspected detects loose connections that need to be addressed, damaged wires that could pose a fire hazard, and other issues that could cause a malfunction. Your technician will ensure that all electrical connections are secure, safe, and properly functioning.

Inspect Belts

The belt in your furnace or heating unit drives the blower motor to circulate air through the home. Over time, the belt can loosen, crack, or completely break. It may also come off the track. During an inspection, your HVAC technician will inspect the belt for any signs of damage and ensure it fits properly. The technician will also examine the pulleys that guide the belt and replace any parts that are worn out or broken. Having the belt inspected during routine maintenance can prevent your system from failing when you need it most.

Inspect and Calibrate Thermostat

The thermostat is a centrally located device that allows you to control your home’s temperature with the touch of a button. There are several benefits to having a properly calibrated and working thermostat, including energy efficiency and more consistent heating and cooling. If your thermostat quits working, you will have no control over your furnace at all. Your HVAC technician will inspect and adjust the thermostat to ensure that it is displaying the correct temperature, allowing you to operate the device with precision. Your HVAC inspection is a great time to replace the batteries in your thermostat so you don’t forget later.

Lubricate Moving Parts

Without proper lubrication, moving parts create friction that can damage your furnace and all its parts and components. Your trained HVAC technician will apply proper lubrication to all of the moving parts that need it, allowing them to move smoothly. This can reduce stress on your system, increasing the life span of your unit and all the individual parts of it.

Check and Test Safety Controls

We often think about having our furnaces inspected and tuned up to make sure we stay warm through the winter. However, safety is the primary aspect of ensuring your furnace or HVAC system is running properly. Your HVAC technician will check all safety features and test them to ensure safe operation. This reduces the risk of mechanical failure or some other catastrophe that could cause fires, explosions, or gas leaks. Having a properly running furnace lowers the risk of injury or illness caused by the device.

Examine Gas Lines

If you have a gas furnace, the gas lines going into your unit should be professionally examined during your routine maintenance appointment. This is to ensure there are no cracks, leaks, or faulty connections. A gas leak can create catastrophic damage, including an explosion.

Check Heat Exchanger

A furnace heat exchanger is a metal shield between the combustion chamber and the blower that moves heated air through your system. The heat exchanger ensures that the air flowing through your home is safe to breathe. During the inspection, a technician will check the heat exchanger and its parts, looking for signs of damage such as cracking and warping. Replacing a damaged heat exchanger is vital to ensuring there’s safe air to breathe in your home.

Check Burner and Flame Sensor

The flame sensor is a safety device that detects a flame and sends a signal to the control panel of your furnace. If the flame sensor does not detect a flame, a signal is sent to the control board, and the furnace shuts down quickly to prevent dangerous levels of free-flowing gas from filling your home. This sensor is another highly important safety control on your heating equipment that should be examined during an inspection.

Keeping your furnace or air conditioner in top operating condition means having a comfortable climate inside your living quarters. Routine maintenance also ensures the safety of you and your loved ones while operating your HVAC unit. A skilled and trained professional from First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical knows all the working parts of your system and follows a detailed checklist to ensure your unit has been thoroughly inspected and tuned up in time for the season. Our technicians handle this routine maintenance as well as repairs and installations of new units, ensuring comfort in your home.

If your furnace or air conditioner in Metuchen or an area nearby is due for an annual check-up, call our professionals at First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical today and derive peace of mind from knowing that your system is ready for the weather ahead.