Can A Tune-up On My Furnace Really Save Me Money?

YES!  

Well that was easy. Seriously, having yearly furnace maintenance performed by a HVAC expert will save you not only money but also headaches.

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy regular furnace maintenance can save you between 3-10% on your energy bills. Your furnace is a lot like your car.  Routine maintenance will ensure that your furnace is running at peak performance, especially as your furnace gets older. This will not only save you money but it will increase your comfort in your home as your furnace will be better able to maintain your desired temperature. In addition, regular maintenance on your furnace will increase the life of the furnace. Need another reason? Routine maintenance helps to detect and prevent dangerous cracks in your furnace that can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

So what is maintenance, how expensive is it, and how often do I need it?

Routine maintenance involves a heating and cooling expert coming out to your house and inspecting your furnace for dangerous conditions and cleaning it to restore peak performance. A good company should:
 
    Clean & Adjust Burner Assembly                           Check Electrical Connections

    Clean & Adjust Pilot Assembly                            Monitor Heating Cycle

    Monitor Voltage & Amps                                   Check Temperature Rise

    Clean & Inspect Heat Exchanger                           Check Flue Draft

    Inspect Blower Components                                Clean or Replace Filters

    Check For Carbon Monoxide                             Check Gas Pressure

    
Furnace maintenance is suggested once a year. In addition to your maintenance, the technician will also help you to know when repair or replacement is necessary. Older heating equipment can have an annual fuel utilization of as little as 50%. New systems can be as high as 97%. With heating costs on the rise changing your system at the proper time can save you thousands. The experts will help you understand your options when repair or replacement becomes necessary.  In addition, they can offer helpful explanations and offer suggestions to help you save money through tax rebates, upgraded thermostats, recommendations for increased insulation, and a whole host of other tips that HVAC experts have.

The bottom line is you spend a lot of money on your car and consequently you perform regular maintenance to keep it running in peak performance. Your furnace is much the same way. You should start with a checkup call. Your HVAC expert will be able to tune up your furnace and ensure your safety. If you need a furnace replacement they will be able to offer you expert analysis so that you will get the furnace you need for your home. A good heating and cooling repair company will even give you back the price of the checkup back if you need a new furnace.