FURNACE TUNE UP

Furnace tune up, recently I read an article about homeowners performing their own furnace tune up. Home owner furnace tune up

Furnace tune up, for years I have been giving similar advice to customers about cleaning their own heating system. HoweverI have seen more harm then good come out of this tutelage. We all know that almost anything today can be found on the internet; however it does not mean it’s true and correct.

We have seen disinformation being giving on the internet and can prove to be costly as well as dangerous. So therefore a home owner should have an experienced heating contractor perform their tune up year to year. Why may you wonder? Here is some reason why I say this. Will a home owner find a crack in the heat exchanger which can cause delayed ignition? Or worse, carbon monoxide.  Or find a birds nest in the chimney? Will a home owner know if the flame sensor or thermocouple is putting out the right milli-volts or micro-amps? Will a home owner know if the carry over tubes is allowing the natural gas or propane to carry over properly? What about the temperature rise, assuming the heating system was installed correctly, has the temp rise changed due to clogged furnace filters, a weak blower motor or even a clogged evaporator coil? I doubt it.

My advice to homeowners is to change your furnace filters monthly. Purchase the cheaper filters to lower your maintenance cost. With a shop vac, vacuum around the furnace and keep the dust and dirt away from the furnace. Dirt and dust does in fact cause furnace issues.

If you as a home owner are so inclined, purchase a programmable thermostat and install it. If you do so, make sure you write down the wiring info off the old thermostat and by all means shut of the heating system switch near the furnace or boiler. If you don’t do so; you can blow a fuse or fry the transformer. That’s about all the advice I really would offer anymore.

I’ m not being stingy, just thinking safety for the consumer. And besides I give a thumbs up to homeowners fixing their own appliances, however somethings should be left to the heating professionals.
Big ed