September 25, 2024
What is Checked During a Furnace Inspection?
You may have heard that an annual heating system inspection is important but never given the reason why. To answer your question and explain how Applewood checks and ensures the safety of furnaces for our customers, we’ve created this post.
Unfortunately, heating-related fires are the second most common type of fires in the United States. In 2021, these fires caused an estimated 190 deaths, 625 injuries and $442 million in property loss. Without preventative furnace maintenance, problems such as fires, inefficient heating and carbon monoxide emission could arise.
Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric has developed a 14-point furnace inspection to ensure that all of our customers benefit from safe and functional heating systems all winter long. Here’s what we cover along with furnace maintenance tips to keep your system running:
Applewood’s 14-Point Denver Furnace Inspection
1. Replace the Air Filter
If your air filter is dirty, your furnace has to work harder to produce heat; which can lead to an unsafe situation. Applewood recommends that you change your filter at least every other month to maintain your furnace’s efficiency.
2. Perform a Thermocouple Check
Your furnace thermocouple is an important component that measures heat output and ensures the gas shuts off if the pilot light goes out. While you may be able to check this on your own, we suggest a certified technician with the right training and tools perform the check.
3. Check Your Fan Limit Switch
This switch should turn your blower off when your home reaches the appropriate temperature. It ensures that your furnace isn’t running constantly and acts as a safety feature by turning off the furnace if it gets too hot.
4. Evaluate Your Pilot Light
A pilot light is one of the most obvious indicators of potential furnace problems. Be sure the pilot light is lit and the flame is consistent. If it fails to light or lacks a good flame you may need to clean this area.
5. Adjust Burner Controls
Clues such as noises, odors and even soot around your furnace area could be indications of a problem. Technicians can measure stack temperature, smoke level and CO levels to keep your home safe. A yellow burner flame (vs blue) indicates that your burners need to be cleaned.
6. Ensure Safety Backups Work
Most modern furnaces use safety controls such as limit and rollout switches. These controls stop the system in unsafe conditions such as excessive heat or an unlit pilot light.
7. Measure Blower Motor Performance
The blower motor is located inside your furnace. You may be able to tell if the blower is operating, but not at peak performance. This is where a technician can assist in evaluating your system. There may be a number of reasons why your blower isn’t working properly, from dirty filters to damaged wires.
8. Check for Gas Leaks
It is imperative to check for gas leaks. The most obvious way to detect a leak is through your nose – natural gas has a rotten egg-like smell. If you detect this at any level, leave the home immediately and call your service provider or the fire department.
9. Evaluate Air Flow
Furnaces need air to operate properly. Along with the cold air returns within your home, your system should have a designated source of fresh outdoor air. These openings need to be checked regularly along with the combustion chamber. This is where heat is conducted and soot, water vapor and carbon dioxide can gather. If there is too much buildup in the chamber, the walls can erode.
10. Inspect the Flue Pipe
Your flue pipe vents the natural gas emissions outside. Be sure to check it annually for any holes, especially closer to the furnace. Holes can cause carbon monoxide to leak, leaving you and your family in danger.
11. Check Your Furnace Tank
Furnaces have metal tanks in varying sizes to absorb pressure as your heating system warms up. Newer systems are less likely to fail. It is still important to check for possible leaks at the tank valve or for waterlogging, which may require draining.
12. Ensure Proper Heat Distribution
It’s important to check where your heat reaches the room. Properly working registers and zone valves ensure that heat gets distributed throughout your home correctly and evenly.
13. Test Thermostat
We often take our thermostats for granted. It’s good to put a thermostat to test to confirm it is operating correctly. You can do this by adjusting the temperature high or low to trip your furnace into action or shut it down. If you have zone systems, make sure your batteries are fresh and working.
14. Inspect Heat Exchangers
The heat exchanger transfers the heat from the burning fuel to the air. Because of their nearly hidden location, inspecting furnace heat exchangers for cracks or leaks may be a tricky task. A cracked or broken heat exchanger should be repaired immediately by a licensed service technician.
How Often Should I Have My Furnace Inspected?
We recommend an annual inspection to ensure that your home stays warm every winter. More importantly, your furnace inspection should be performed by a licensed professional who knows how to check your furnace for efficiency and safety.
In addition, clean all air ducts, vacuum floors and keep the area around your furnace clear – all dirt and dust can pose a threat to your furnace if it causes air ducts to clog. Loss of efficiency and air quality can cause you to operate your furnace at a higher level than necessary.
Schedule Your Furnace Safety Inspection Today
Hopefully, this furnace inspection checklist has convinced you of the importance of regular checkups. Scheduling a comprehensive and reliable furnace inspection in Denver, Boulder and Longmont is easy. Just call the HVAC professionals at Applewood. Now is the time to take care of annual heating system maintenance to ensure you and your family are cozy every night in your home. You can schedule your inspection online as well.