Falling into Autumn: Time for a Furnace Check-Up

The mercury has been swiftly dropping as we’ve slid into fall. When the temps fall, we see an increase of calls from families that have realized their furnace is on the fritz. That’s not a position anyone wants to be in, but unfortunately, each year families across the Chicago area will realize that their furnace is not ready for the winter.

A good general rule of thumb to follow is to have your furnace inspected at the beginning of fall. At that point, your technician can pinpoint any problems and correct them before you find yourself in the middle of a freezing night and realize you have no heat.

It’s easy to forget about maintenance for a furnace. We get it. The furnace is hidden away. It’s not something that you’re looking at or thinking about on a regular basis. It helps to think of your furnace like your car. Regular maintenance for your car – whether that’s oil changes, air filter swaps, or new tires – keeps your vehicle in great shape to safely transport your family around the city.

This is especially important for cars that have been sitting in your garage for six months. You want to do a little tuneup to ensure that your car will run smoothly and not leave you stranded. Annual furnace maintenance is like an oil change for your heating system. Your furnace has been sitting idle for the last six months so now is a prime time to pop the hood.

Not only does regular furnace maintenance keep you house toasty warm, but it also keeps your family safe. Broken furnaces can be a source of dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for over 500 deaths in the U.S. each year. Furnace inspections are an easy way to get some peace of mind and know that your family will be safe through the winter.

Of course, a tune up is only as good at the technician doing it. You’ll want to choose the right expert for your needs, but it can be hard to know what qualifies an HVAC technician to do a check-up on your furnace.

First off, you’ll want to eliminate any companies that do not offer NATE-certified technicians. North American Technician Excellence is a professional certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians. Basically, if your technician is NATE certified, you know that they know their stuff.

Secondly, you’ll want to look for a company that can clearly list their services included during an annual maintenance check up. Some services to look out for include:

• Checking settings like the thermostat, and start up and shut down controls
• Inspecting to ensure easy ignition and flame control
• Lubricating moving parts
• Changing filters
• Performing a safety carbon monoxide check
• Inspecting electrical connections and fixing those that are loose
• Inspecting drains for blockages
• Checking the blower access door to ensure a tight seal
• Cleaning the blower wheel Inspecting for rust or corrosion

This list isn’t exhaustive – your technician might include additional services, but it is important to know exactly what your HVAC company offers during their annual maintenance check.

Climate Control Services are your local HVAC experts. Our technicians are NATE-certified professionals. We don’t do any work that you haven’t expressly agreed to beforehand so you’ll never get slapped with a bill you weren’t expecting. It’s our goal to offer our customers fast, expert service with prices they can rely on.

The only thing more important to us than keeping your heating system in tiptop shape is making sure your experience is wonderful. We offer furnace installations, replacements, repairs, and annual checkups and maintenance. If you have an emergency, we’re here for you – day or night.

 Don’t wait until it’s freezing outside to have your furnace serviced. Call us today to schedule your furnace inspection.