Why You Need A Tune-Up For Your San Diego Heating System

If you live in the San Diego area, you may be turning on your heating system soon. That means it’s probably time to schedule a tune-up. Tune-ups are necessary for your heating system’s overall health and efficiency. Here are the reasons why your heating system needs a tune-up.

Why Tune-Ups Are Important

As we get closer to winter, you may not have used your heating system for a long time. It naturally accumulates dirt, dust, and particles that need to be cleaned out. Your heating system may also have developed a crack or leak that needs to be repaired. Or, one of its other parts may be malfunctioning. Getting a tune-up can address all of these issues and ensure that your heating system is working properly before winter arrives.

Heating system tune-ups provide a comprehensive evaluation to improve your gas or electric furnace, heat pump, or boiler. Heating systems usually need a tune-up at least once per year, especially to test how it is working before colder weather sets in. A service professional can identify any issues that the system may have and provide a correction plan.

Tune-ups are part of preventive maintenance that helps improve the efficiency of your heating system. A heating system can make up between 30% to 50% of your energy costs. One of the benefits of getting a tune-up is to ensure your heating system is working efficiently, which will lower your heating bill.

What Are the Benefits of a Tune-Up to Your Heating System?

During a tune-up maintenance visit, a professional will check your system for any damage or leaks. A tune-up will make sure your furnace gas pipes do not have a hole in them or are not blocked by dirt or rust buildup. If your furnace gets blocked, it can overheat. Overheating can cause your unit to stop working.

A tune-up visit will check your air filters to see if they are clogged. A service professional can check the furnace and air vent filters for any obstructions and determine whether they need to be cleaned or replaced. Tune-ups also check furnace fans, motors, and electrical connections to ensure the system is safe and working properly.

A central part of these visits is a carbon monoxide safety test on gas units to ensure the safety of your system. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel is burned. These tests monitor for any hazardous leaks that can occur in gas furnaces. Carbon monoxide is normally contained within the heat exchanger and sent outside the home through the flue vent as intended. A tune-up visit will determine whether a crack has developed in the heat exchanger or if any problem exists with the vent.

Tune-up visits also determine whether airflow is restricted so that heat is transferred to the house efficiently. These visits also include an inspection of the blower assembly and the motor capabilities to see if airflow is not at its optimum. If your heating system uses a heat pump, a tune-up will likewise check the evaporator coil and air filters for any disruptions or inefficiencies. As you enter the winter, these elements are essential for a correctly functioning heating system.

In addition, tune-ups provide a chance for your heating system to get cleaned and lubricated to reduce wear and tear on the unit. A professional can check the controls, wiring, thermostat, and flue pipes for any rust or corrosion. These visits can also vacuum out furnaces and clear out debris from the surrounding area. A tune-up visit will check to make sure your system is working efficiently and enable you to save on energy costs and repair bills.

How Do Tune-Ups Help You Save Money?

If one part of your furnace is not working correctly, it places a strain on the entire heating system. Other parts of the furnace can wear out or blocks in the piping can develop. Making sure you do not have a small problem reduces the chance of larger, more expensive problems down the road. Replacing a furnace or performing major repairs will cost you more than a planned tune-up.

As part of your heating system, air ducts may also get blocked and restrict airflow. This blockage creates added pressure on the heating system. During a tune-up, our technicians can check the temperature and airflow to make sure that your system is not working harder than it should to keep your house warm.

Waiting until your heating system breaks down to get repairs may also invalidate your warranty. Many warranties specify that the owner needs to schedule regular maintenance to keep the warranty valid. Warranties will allow you to replace or repair HVAC systems and alleviate unexpected expenses.

Tune-ups also save you money by enabling your heating system to work at its top efficiency level. Inefficient heating systems struggle to maintain desired temperatures and consume more energy. The Department of Energy estimates that changing out HVAC filters alone can reduce energy use by 5% to 15%. Maintaining and replacing other parts will add more to your energy savings by inspecting your Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE).

Modern-day furnaces come with an 80% AFUE rating, meaning that 80% of the energy used goes toward proper heating. High-efficiency heating systems have 90% to 98.5% AFUE ratings so that more of the energy is used for heating and less is wasted. A tune-up will make sure that your unit is achieving its target AFUE rating and not using more energy than it should.

Will a Tune-Up Help Your Heating System Last Longer?

Getting a tune-up will ultimately help your heating system last longer. These maintenance visits help support the long-term investment in your HVAC system. Efficiency means a longer lifespan. On average, heater systems will last between 15 and 20 years with proper maintenance.

Getting a tune-up once or twice per year serves as an insurance system for your heating system. If your heating system starts to heat your home unevenly or makes louder noises, these are signs of a problem or an overworked system.

If your heating system is running for long periods of time, it usually means that the unit is struggling to keep the temperature at the desired setting. The stress on it results in higher energy costs and premature aging.

Tune-ups on heating systems are similar to maintenance on cars. In both situations, proper maintenance and care prolongs the life of your investment. Getting the most time out of your heating system will lower household expenses, provide energy efficiency, and maintain the safety of your home. Ask us about our HVAC maintenance plan!

Heating Tune-Ups and Services

Please contact us at Comfort Bros Heating & Air for more information about heating system tune-ups, repairs, and installation services. We also provide air conditioning installation, repairs, and maintenance services to El Cajon, CA, and the San Diego County area. We are here for all your HVAC needs. Call Comfort Bros Heating & Air today to schedule our comprehensive HVAC services!