Are annual inspections/tune-ups necessary?

All furnace manufacturers recommend annual maintenance to be performed by a qualified technician. There is also verbiage in their warranties saying that any damage done to the unit because of lack of maintenance will not be covered.

Does this mean that if you skip a year or two of maintenance that your warranty is now void? Probably not, but the manufacturers still highly recommend it.

It’s like having a yearly prostate exam or physical. Is it necessary? Probably not. Is it beneficial and will issues be caught and addressed before they get worse. Yes.

What is actually done during a furnace tune-up?
With so many contractors out there touting “21-point inspections” or “34-point tune-ups”, it’s hard to figure out what is actually being checked and done to your furnace. So, when you ask yourself what is actually performed, the answer is that it depends.

There currently is no industry standard when it comes to furnace maintenance. Depending on the contractor, they might just show up, see that the furnace is still in your attic, and leave without checking a single thing! Or, they will come out at a low cost, and charge a premium for common repairs.

Here are some best practices that all of our Air National Texas technicians go by:

  • Your venting system (flue) is always checked for blockages and proper slope. This includes a visual inspection, draft inspection, as well as a combustion analysis to check for carbon monoxide and other important readings. This step is crucial as it is the only thing standing in the way of your furnace poisoning your household.
  • The heat exchanger is always be inspected. This can be done through a combustion analysis and a visual inspection.
  • All safety switches (roll outs, high limits, etc) are tested for proper operation. This step is crucial as it is the only thing standing in the way of your furnace over heating and starting a fire.
  • Your burners are checked for proper ignition and flame.
  • The flame sensor and ignition device (ignitor, spark, thermocouple, etc.) is inspected for cleanliness and proper readings.
  • The induction blower (the thing that pushes your combustion air outside) is checked for bearing noises and blockages.
  • Your main blower is inspected for cleanliness, proper amp draws, and capacitor readings.
  • If included, the drainage system is inspected and cleaned. Only 90%+ efficient furnaces will need this step.
  • All wiring is checked for proper connections and corrosion.
  • A temperature rise (and static pressure test if needed) is performed to measure adequate airflow.
  • Your filter is checked for proper installation and cleanliness.

Can this be done by a homeowner?
Absolutely! However, the only homeowners who have the proper equipment to do all of these important inspections are HVAC professionals.

Do I really need to pay $74 for furnace maintenance?
In short, yes. This is what professionals charge. We see advertisements all the time for $29 furnace inspections. Here’s something you should know. An HVAC contractor can’t even show up to your house for that price! It is almost guaranteed that the service technician who shows up at your front door will find something wrong and charge you a premium for it to cover their costs.

Here’s what you get from our professional tune-ups:

  • Everything listed above checked every time.
  • A text directly to you when the technician is on their way.
  • Trained technicians who don’t just sell parts, but give solutions and professional diagnostics.
  • 24/7 customer service who is ready to help whenever you need it.
  • If you are interested in annual maintenance, call us, or go to our maintenance page to learn more.

Give us a call today, we are ready to service your needs,

[email protected]
281-251-3143

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