As the weather starts getting chilly in the mornings and the leaves start changing colors, we start making the transition from using our air conditioning to using our furnace. This means it might be time to think about a furnace tune up. Cold houses are not pleasant to be in, so it’s important to ensure your furnace is running properly. Furnaces need tune ups to continue to perform well and to keep your house safe. Here are some ways you can tell if you need a furnace tune up. 

Signs To Look For For A Furnace Tune Up

There are multiple indicators that your furnace needs maintenance. Amongst them are:

Uneven or Uncomfortable Temperature

If some rooms in your house are warmer than others, this can indicate that your furnace has clogged filters. Similarly, if you set your thermostat and your furnace can’t reach the level you set it to, this can mean that your furnace is struggling, and that maintenance could help it out.

Higher Bills

If your furnace is working harder and longer to try to reach the temperature you set your thermostat to, this can cause your heating bills to shoot up, because you are unconsciously using it more. 

Weird Smells Or Sounds

Generally, if your furnace is working properly, you don’t really notice it too much. However, if your furnace starts rattling or hissing or squeaking or making any other kind of unusual noise, that’s a clear indication to have it looked at asap. These sounds can be accompanied by a burning smell, which means that parts of your furnace are either overheating or broken.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

As your heating is part of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system), if it struggles, you’ll likely struggle too, and not just in being cold. If it’s harder to breathe, you find yourself coughing or sneezing or your eyes, throat, or nose are irritated, this means something’s affecting the ventilation/filter for your furnace. 

Time

If it’s been at least a year since your last furnace tune-up, it’s time to schedule another one. Generally, professionals recommend annual furnace tune-ups. However, if you have an older system, that should be checked more frequently.

Why Furnace Tune-Ups Are Important

Furnace tune ups are needed for more than a comfortable house. A furnace left with maintenance problems can pose serious risks, to you and your home. Plus, like any other part of your house, they need check ups to keep running smoothly.

Prevents Health Issues

Since your furnace affects your air quality, problems with your furnace can cause problems for you. Poor indoor air quality is linked with allergy flare-ups, developing respiratory diseases, and  even heart issues and cancer. 

Catches Potentially Dangerous Problems

A professional can catch any potential risks in your furnace before they have the chance to grow into a serious problem for your house. For example, if your furnace runs on gas, a technician can spot and fix leaks.

Longevity

Same as any other part of your home, a furnace left unattended won’t last as long as one that gets regular tune-ups. It can break and require more frequent repairs or replacement, ending up with you spending more money on it and on your heating bills than you would if you had it checked annually.

Comfort Levels

A working furnace means a nice warm house with good indoor air quality. When it’s cold outside, you don’t want that coming in. You want to be comfortable in your home.

What To Expect From A Furnace Tune Up

When you schedule a furnace tune up, technicians will come out to your home and check a variety of things. They’ll take a look at your airflow, your furnace filter, your wiring, and more. They’ll clean away any debris in the system. They’ll check all the aspects of your furnace and identify any problems. They’ll talk with you about their findings and fix any issues they find. 

Do You Need A Furnace Tune Up?

Our experts here at R & D Heating And Air provide personalized service to you and your family. We understand the importance of furnace tune ups which is why we offer exceptional service and go above and beyond to keep your furnace safe. To schedule a furnace tune up or for any questions about any of the services we offer, please contact us at R & D Heating And Air today!