Signs It’s Time for an Annual Furnace Tune-Up

Your furnace keeps your home and family cozy in the winter. Because of this, you need to be able to rely on it. At Service Champions, we recommend an annual furnace tune-up for all of our Southern California residents.

If you’re asking, “why every year,” it’s simple. Don’t wait until you have a major issue with your furnace. Regular maintenance helps keep small problems from turning into big, expensive issues. Here are some signs to watch for that it’s time for your annual furnace tune-up.

How Often Should I Book a Furnace Tune-Up?

It’s far too easy to let your furnace and AC go without a tune-up. After all, they’re working just as they should. However, this becomes a problem when something breaks or goes wrong. A neglected HVAC system will cost you more money over the long run.

Instead, you should be thinking of your HVAC system like a car. A car needs to have regular service, oil changes, and tire rotations. Why not your HVAC system?

We recommend booking two tune-ups per year. A yearly AC tune up before the start of spring and an annual furnace tune-up before temperatures drop. A professional HVAC technician will catch any small problems and fix them right away.

Why is an Annual Furnace Tune-Up Important?

Furnaces are one of the most important appliances in your home. They keep you warm and are also an energy-efficient way to heat your home. But furnaces need regular maintenance to ensure they will continue to work correctly and efficiently.

The benefits of having your furnace tuned up include:

• Lower energy costs. A properly working furnace uses less fuel and lowers your utility bills.
• Extending the life of your equipment. If your system isn’t running efficiently, it could shorten its lifespan.
• Safe operation. A properly maintained furnace keeps dust and debris away from heat-sensitive components, reducing the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Improved indoor air quality. Furnace maintenance keeps allergens like dust mites and pet dander out of the air you breathe.

Signs you Need a Furnace Tune-Up

If you notice any of these signs, contact a professional for furnace maintenance.

Energy Bills Have Gone Up

Your furnace should kick on when you need it most, when everyone is home, and shut off during periods of low activity so that your heating costs aren’t unnecessarily high. If your energy bill spikes during certain times of day or you see a spike out of nowhere, it could mean your system is not running as efficiently as it should.

Something Smells Funky

Your furnace should never smell. If your home is starting to smell like burning plastic or dust, then it may be time for a professional to check things out. You could have a clogged air filter, built-up of dirt, or an electrical fault could lead to some issues with your furnace, or even a fire, if not dealt with.

Heat is Patchy (Or There’s no Heat at All)

When your home is unevenly heated, it may be a sign that the blower isn’t pulling air evenly through the ducts. This can also happen if there is a problem with the wire connecting your furnace to the thermostat.

If you turn on your furnace and nothing happens, there could be several different issues at play here – from a faulty thermostat to clogged vents or tubing malfunctions. Call in the pros for an inspection if this happens more than once.

Fiddling with the Thermostat Makes no Difference

You might notice that your home doesn’t heat up as quickly or efficiently as it used to or that you have to adjust the thermostat more than usual to get the desired temperature. This could be caused by poor wiring, a faulty thermostat, or simply just dead batteries. An expert can diagnose these issues and replace any defective parts.

Pilot Light is Yellow or Orange

If your furnace pilot light is red or orange, it means that the gas valve is not closing correctly. This can be caused by several reasons, including

• Too much carbon monoxide causing the flame to burn incorrectly.
• A lack of oxygen meaning incorrect combustion.

If you don’t have a blue flame, contact an HVAC technician for furnace maintenance.

Furnace is Old

If you’ve owned your furnace for years, it’s not uncommon for it to develop some problems. This is especially true if you don’t have a regular maintenance schedule in place. The longer you go without a tune-up, the more likely your furnace will develop problems that can cost you money and inconvenience.

Older furnaces burn more fuel than newer ones because they’re less efficient at converting energy into heat than newer systems. Older units also tend to be less efficient at keeping heat inside your home because they leak more air through their seals than recent models. A tune-up will help ensure you get the best out of your old furnace.

Keep your furnace in excellent condition by booking a furnace tune-up with the Service Champions professionals.