What is a Tune up?

What is a tune up? What is an inspection? When you get an ad in the mail, see an ad online do you know the difference? Is it being called a tune up, when it's really just an inspection? Here are a few ways to know what the difference is. A tune up, in our opinion, should have some actual services performed. The burners should be checked to make sure they are burning correctly, and cleaned if necessary. Even a little bit of dust and debris can cause a big problem. The heat exchanger should be visually inspected. This can start at the opening of the heat exchanger, and if anything looks suspect, then a more thorough inspection can be done. maybe the blower housing will need to be pulled to check it, maybe a camera inspection is in order. The gas pressure should be checked, and the gas valve should be adjusted if it is incorrect. This is one of the biggest culprits for a furnace to not last as long as it should. if it's too high, it will overheat the heat exchanger, if it's too low, it can cause condensation to take place in the upper chambers of the heat exchanger, or not light. The flame sensor should be tested, and cleaned if not at peak output, this is one of those nuisance faults that will make you crazy. The pressure switch tubing should be cleared, pesky spiders and other debris can get in there and clog this up, making your furnace not ignite, especially during the early winter months. The blower motor should be tested for proper amp draw, as well as the air vents on the motor should be cleaned off, so the motor gets the optimal amount of airflow through it, since that's what keeps it cool and running well. The capacitor for the blower motor should also be tested. Finally, the safeties should be checked and made sure they are functioning correctly. If you have a high efficiency furnace, the drain tubing should be cleared out, so that your furnace will drain correctly.

Now that you have this information, does this sound like something that can happen with a $29 tune up or inspection? This takes time to do correctly. I normally charge $79 for this service. Sometimes for different reasons, (mostly advertising purposes) I will discount this in some form or another, but in order to do what is best for you and your furnace, it takes time. Stay tuned for a great off that I will post in the next couple of days! Thank you!