July 24, 2021

Are Annual Furnace Inspections Really Necessary?

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Importance of Annual Furnace Inspections

It’s a documented rule that homeowners hire an HVAC Specialist to inspect their furnaces at least once a year. However, homeowners are still wary of doing it because they don’t know its benefits. Are annual furnace inspections really necessary? Yes, they are, and the following are valid points to back it up.

Related: Difference Between Boiler and Furnace

Are Annual Furnace Inspections Necessary?

From a homeowner’s point, annual furnace inspections look more like a scam by HVAC inspectors to collect money from them every year. From an HVAC company’s point, it’s an opportunity to serve and earn from their profession. Whatever your viewpoint, manufacturers recommend having these heating systems checked and serviced yearly to avoid furnace problems. The benefits yearly furnace inspections bring to your table are many and outlined below.

Averts Potential Breakdowns

The yearly visits and furnace inspection services by professional HVAC and Plumbing companies are never in vain. Your furnace is likely to fail or even break down if it doesn’t get serviced. Furnace tune-ups involve proper system cleaning, component lubrication, and system alignment so that you can avoid an early furnace replacement..

HVAC technicians check the system components and wiring to make sure they are working. They check for weak pilot lights, cracked heat exchangers, dirt gas valves, malfunctioning parts, and loose components.

A dirty heating system affects system efficiency, making it work harder and make noises as it operates. Technicians, as part of the annual tune-up, clean the furnace of dirt and debris particles to boost the system’s efficiency and extend its life.

Annual furnace tune-ups cost between $80 and $150, depending on the amount of work and the furnace company you hire.

Saves You On Overall Energy Costs

A furnace with inadequate furnace inspections develops clogging, leaking, and mechanical issues. These issues will force it to work loudly and inefficiently, which will increase your overall heating and cooling costs. Hiring a contractor to inspect your furnace addresses impending problems.

According to studies, an adequately inspected furnace decreases your household energy costs by up to 30%.

Yearly Tune-ups Can Prevent Leakages

A rough estimate of over 50,000 people in the United States is treated for poison by carbon monoxide. Manufacturers ensure that modern furnaces stand up against elements and minimize potential carbon monoxide leakages. However, that doesn’t mean these systems won’t leak if they don’t get the care and tune-ups recommended by the manufacturers.

Carbon monoxide leakages in furnaces happen when the heat exchanger cracks. The leading cause of heat exchanger cracks is overstressed coils, which occur when your furnace is too small or has dirty filters. The yearly tune-ups and servicing services involve checking and repairing cracked heat exchangers and sealing any other components that could trigger leakages.

Reduces Frequency of Repairs and Component Replacements

When you service your furnace at least once per year, components work more efficiently. When furnace components are working effectively, there are lower chances of over-stressing any components, necessitating regular repairs. Also, with annual furnace inspections and tune-ups, the technician cleans vents and related systems. In other words, the yearly tune-ups address potential issues, which minimizes improper emergency repairs.

Are Annual Furnace Inspections Necessary? What Exactly Happens During the Inspections?

Every annual inspection project is not the same. The depth of the inspections and range of issues addressed during the inspection vary from one company to another. However, every qualified and customer-centered furnace technician will perform most of the inspection and repair tasks outlined below:

  • Inspect and repair any blocked venting systems to ensure there are no leakages.
  • Check the heat exchanger for cracks and leakages.
  • Clean or replace air filters.
  • Test the safety switches for efficiency. Poorly installed or faulty safety switches are likely to cause overheating issues, which may trigger fire outbreaks.
  • Review gas pressures and burners.
  • Review ignition devices and flame sensors to ensure they are clean and have accurate readings.
  • Check the combustion blowers to ensure they are not blocked and have no amp draws or bearing noises.
  • Inspect the furnace’s central blower to be sure it has accurate capacity readings. They want to make sure the central blower has the right amp draws and it’s clean.
  • Check for corrosion and improper connections.

Conclusion

Are annual furnace inspections essential? Homeowners ask this quite frequently, but there is no exact answer to everyone’s needs since everyone is different. However, as you have seen, the benefits of getting your furnace system checked and any existing and impending issues addressed are manifold. Not every HVAC technician can comprehensively assess and handle problems with your furnace during the annual inspections, so hire a technician with a track record.