5 Reasons to Schedule a Fall Furnace Clean and Check

Fall is when a furnace goes from months of silence to daily work in a matter of weeks. A clean and check before that happens is a short visit that looks at the parts most likely to fail, and it tends to cost less in time and trouble than a breakdown in January. In the Tri-Cities, where cold snaps arrive quickly, here are five reasons to book it early.

1. Catch small problems while they are small

Igniters weaken, flame sensors get coated, blower motors wear and belts fray, all without much warning. A technician can spot these during a routine visit and replace them before the furnace quits on you. Repairs scheduled on a mild day are simply easier than repairs that cannot wait.

2. Safety comes first

A furnace is a gas appliance with a flame, a flue and a heat exchanger. A clean and check includes testing the safety controls, looking over the heat exchanger for signs of cracking and confirming that exhaust vents properly. Carbon monoxide is odourless, so you cannot rely on your nose, which is why working detectors on each level and a professional inspection matter. This is licensed work, and it is not something to try yourself.

3. A clean furnace runs better

Over the year, dust from our dry summers and wildfire smoke settles on burners, the blower wheel and inside the cabinet. A furnace with a dirty blower or burner works harder to produce the same heat, which wastes energy and puts strain on parts. Cleaning helps it run the way it was designed to.

4. It helps the equipment last

Most furnaces last around 15 to 20 years, and the ones that reach the top of that range usually get regular attention. Yearly service is one of the simplest ways to protect a big investment. Keeping records of each visit is also useful if you ever sell the house or want to show the equipment's history.

Small efficiencies matter here too. A furnace running with a dirty flame sensor may shut down repeatedly on a cold morning, and a blower running on a worn motor uses more electricity than it should. Neither problem will call attention to itself until the weather turns, which is why the fall check is aimed at parts that look fine from the outside.

5. You avoid the fall rush

The first cold snap fills every heating company's schedule with no-heat calls. Scheduling your visit in September or early October means you are not competing with emergencies, and there is time to order a part if one is needed.

If something does need replacing, you also have time to decide what to do without pressure. A repair that would be simple on a mild October afternoon can turn into a rushed decision when the house is cold and the office is short on parts. Fall is also a good time to check your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms, replacing batteries and testing each one.

What you can do yourself beforehand

A few simple jobs help before the technician comes.

• Replace the filter with the correct size, and note the date.
• Clear anything stacked around the furnace, and keep the area free of stored paint, cleaners and anything flammable.
• Open all supply vents and clear the return grilles.
• Test your thermostat and switch it to heat to make sure the system responds, then turn it back down.

Anything that involves gas, wiring or the inside of the cabinet should be left for the technician.

Make it a habit

One visit is good, and a routine is better. Air-Tech's AT Advantage Program includes two visits a year, so both heating and cooling get inspected at the right time. If you would rather book a single fall visit, our office is open Monday to Friday from 8 to 5 at (509) 392-2021, and we are happy to find a time that suits you before the cold moves in.