HVAC Tips / October 19, 2021
Furnace Checkup Before Cold Weather: What Exactly Happens?
The colder weather months are quickly approaching. That means you need your annual furnace checkup. Just like your personal health needs an annual checkup, your furnace needs an annual checkup to make sure it is in good operating order. Several things happen when your HVAC technician arrives to check your furnace.
As a homeowner, you should fully understand what goes on during your furnace checkup in the event something goes wrong during the winter. Discover some of the things that happen during your furnace checkup.
Component Inspection
The first part of the checkup will be a full inspection of the furnace. The technician will check the heat exchanger, the ductwork, and the return vents. The heat exchanger is the most important part of the furnace.
The heat exchanger lets the heat from a liquid or gas pass through a second area of liquid or gas without the fluids combining. The exchanger transfers heat but not the liquid that carries heat.
The technician looks at the heat exchanger to ensure the liquid or gases have not escaped, and that the exchanger does not have any cracks that render it unsafe. Your technician will inspect the system and let you know what problems, if any, are present.
The technician also checks your ducting. You will turn the thermostat on to allow the circulation of air. The technician will check the temperature at the return vents to ensure the temperature matches the setting on your thermostat.
Furnace Cleaning
A very important part of a furnace checkup is the cleaning. Over the spring and summer when you do not use the furnace, the system becomes dusty and full of debris. The debris and dust are a fire hazard if not removed.
First, the technician will clean the exterior of the furnace to remove the dust and debris buildup. They typically do this with a vacuum.
The technician also checks the burner compartment. The burner compartment is where the gases mix to create the warm air for your home. To clean the burner compartment, the technician takes the entire component apart and cleans it with a vacuum and cloths.
Another important part of the cleaning process is cleaning or replacing the air filter. You should do this every few months, but your technician can also take care of this for you. If you have a reusable filter, the technician rinses the filter with water until it is clean. Otherwise, they will replace the filter.
The technician also checks the blower assembly. The blower is a large fan-like component that sends the warm air throughout your home. The technician removes the blower to give it a good cleaning with high-pressure air. They remove any visible dust and debris as well. A clean blower is crucial to healthy air quality, as dirt and debris will spread through the home via the blower.
Component Testing
The technician also checks the components to ensure they work properly. They inspect the wiring to ensure everything connects as it should. When a wire is loose, parts of the furnace may not work. A carbon monoxide test is also an important part of the testing process.
Your technician also checks the thermostat to make sure it is fully functional and makes sure the system properly vents the exhaust from the furnace. The pilot light will emit buildup over time, so the technician also tests the ignition system.
The health of your furnace relies heavily on a yearly checkup. If you have any questions about this process or if you need to schedule a checkup, please give us a call at 619-313-6344.
