Do you need a fall furnace tune up?

The air is crisp, mornings and evenings have a distinct chill, and your jacket has entered the outfit rotation; fall weather has finally arrived, and you may be powering up your furnace for the first time in months.

If your furnace has been dormant for the summer, it’s important to make sure it’s in good working order before winter hits. And while there are a number of checks you can do yourself – more on that below – fall is one of those times where it can be really beneficial to hire an HVAC Pro to do a furnace inspection. 

Also read: How to hire an HVAC contractor: 6 questions to ask

Checking and maintaining your heating systems now can help prevent an emergency furnace repair later on, and lower your heating bill by ensuring your unit is using energy efficiently. A furnace inspection can also root out any hidden cracks in your heat exchanger which can pose a risk for carbon monoxide leaks, especially in units that are nearing the end of their lifespan.

We chatted with a few HVAC Pros from the Greater Toronto Area on what you can expect to be included in an inspection, what maintenance you can safely conduct yourself, and the warning signs that your furnace may be on its last legs.

How often do you need a furnace inspection and what’s included?

Getting a professional furnace inspection generally costs between $80 to $200, depending on the level of diagnostic testing the Pro does. It’s advisable to get one done annually to stay ahead of any issues that could lead to mid-season breakdowns, such as blockages, worn out parts, and leaks.

RJ Donaldson, owner and founder of Canaduct, breaks down what he looks for while doing an inspection job: 

“We want to give the flame sensor a quick sanding to make sure it's working properly, do a carbon dioxide check and gas leak check, make sure everything's pressure checked,” he says. ”We take a look at the blower wheel, clean it if it needs to be cleaned, and ensure the filters are all changed – that kind of stuff. We take a quick peek at the gas valve to make sure everything's on point before a combustion starts happening in the fall.”

Other services typically included in a professional furnace inspection

An annual furnace inspection should include the following services conducted by a Pro:

• Cleaning the unit of dust and debris

• Changing the furnace filter

• Calibrating the gas valve

• Checking for any cracks, leaks, or rusting on the heat exchanger (a growing risk with aging units)

• Testing static pressure (the resistance that air meets as it moves through your home's ductwork and system components)

• Ensuring all working parts, such as the ventor motor and ignitor, are lubricated and working as they should

• Making sure the flame sensor and burners have a clean, blue flame, not an orange or yellow one

• Testing any electrical or gas connections to make sure there are no loose wires, and that all gas lines are leak-free

• Measuring the voltage of the blower motor

• If your furnace comes with a humidifier, ensuring it’s working and that the filter is clear

• Checking that exhaust is exiting the home safely through venting, and that the flue pipe is not blocked. 

• Making sure that the furnace drain line – also called the condensate drain line (the pipe that reroutes water away from high-efficiency furnaces) is clear. Ali Shaikh, operations manager at Blue Leaf Home Services, says this is especially important in newer models.

“The condensation traps clog up because they dry out,” he says. “ Make sure that nothing burrowed inside the exhaust pipe, and the overall condition, make sure the heat exchanges are in good shape.”

Other benefits of hiring an HVAC Pro

Carbon monoxide checks: We really can’t stress this enough: because carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, you won’t be able to detect if there’s a leak yourself. An HVAC contractor will thoroughly inspect your heat exchanger and your furnace’s exhaust with specialized diagnostic equipment, such as Electronic Combustion Analyzers and CO metres, to see if the gas is escaping.

Your warranty may require it: Depending on the brand of your furnace, its manufacturer may require that it be serviced regularly by a Pro who’s specifically authorized and certified to deal and repair the equipment.

Access to HVAC rebates: There are specific HVAC upgrades that you can do to improve energy efficiency that comes with rebates or subsidies. Many of these require that the work be done by a registered HVAC contractor, who must also apply on your behalf.

Furnace maintenance you can do yourself

While it’s a good rule of thumb to let a Pro handle anything to do with gas, electricity, or combustion, there are a few things you can do regularly to keep your unit in good condition and prolong its lifespan.

Donaldson says regular cleaning is key, as built-up dust can make a big dent in your furnace’s performance. 

“You can basically lose up to 45% of the efficiency of the system just by getting dirt on the blades and the heat exchanger,” he says. “It starts to build up and slows air movement down.”

The tasks homeowners can handle safely include filter changes, vacuuming dust from the lower blower compartment (with the power turned off first), and as well as wiping down vent covers and grilles.

Here’s a handy checklist for conducting a furnace check on your own:

• Air filter: Check if it is dirty or clogged, and replace it if needed. This should be done at least every three months, says Mohsen Zavareh from Afrusun Heating and Cooling Systems.
  

• Clear the surrounding area: Move away boxes, dust, and clutter from around the unit to ensure safe airflow.
  

• Look for signs of external water: “Check outside the furnace for any water leaks, the drain condensation always has to be clear,” Zavareh adds. 

• Check exterior piping: Make sure there aren’t any physical blockages around your furnace exhaust, which often exit through exterior sidewalls. Says Shaikh, “[Check} the exterior of the house, making sure that there's no bins or garbage, especially if the furnace is double piped, and make sure all the leaves and everything are thoroughly removed.”

• Thermostat: Turn it to "heat" and set the temperature higher than the room to verify the furnace turns on.

• Check carbon monoxide alarms: Test the alarm and replace the batteries.

• Clean the humidifier filter: Some furnaces come with whole-house humidifiers included in the unit – but homeowners often aren’t aware that they need regular maintenance, says Donaldson. “This is a big one,” he says. “Do you know how many homeowners I get to that don't know their humidifier has a filter and it's black with mold, it's crumbling, falling apart, full of calcification –  we see it so much.”

Signs that your furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan

Regular maintenance will help your furnace run smoothly for longer. Most furnaces have a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years, though some units can make it to 25 if “there’s been good maintenance and you’ve really taken care of it,” says Donaldson.

“I always tell my clients, look at a furnace like you treat your car. If you take that thing for every single service and you do what's recommended, you could see half a million kilometers out of that car. If you just let it go and do the bare minimum, you’re going to be lucky to see 15.”

Donaldson says that there’s three specific things that “kill a furnace,” and are a sign it’s time for a full replacement rather than just a repair: when the motors, inducer, or blower fan stop working.

“Those [components] are not cheap, you start considering if it’s worthwhile,” he adds.

Shaikh adds that once a furnace is nearing the end of its life, there isn’t much homeowners can do to prolong its service – because of this, it’s important to know how old your unit is, and budget to replace it when needed.

Other indications your furnace is on its way out

• Noises such as grinding, vibrations, loud bangs

• Signs of oxidization within the furnace cabinets (the rectangular metal exterior that protects the internal heating components). This shows moisture is starting to compromise the unit, says Donaldson. “That's a pretty key one because it's just a matter of time before you start getting multiple parts that are basically failing due to that oxidization, electrical corrosion, that kind of thing,” he says.

• The vent or motor or blower fan stops running.

• Your rooms aren’t heating evenly. “A lack of heat distribution throughout the whole house,” is a sign, according to Shaikh. “One, it won't maintain heat, and then the other sign is distribution; so once it starts breaking down, the heat is not as intense to reach the further rooms, so that's usually a clear indication that it's on its way out.”

Other furnace components may need to be replaced sooner

While the entire unit may last for a decade or two, smaller components often need to be replaced more frequently, including:

• Gas valves: Every five to six years, according to Zavareh

• CO and smoke alarms: Any time they fail a monthly battery test, if there’s any discolouration, or if there’s been any heavy renovations or dusting that could clog them

• Ventor motor pressure switch and flame sensor: As needed

The takeaway for homeowners: a well-maintained furnace takes a combination of homeowner attention and professional service. Investing in an annual furnace tuneup can help you stay ahead of potentially larger problems, and keep your home toasty when it counts.