Much like you have a yearly checkup at the doctor’s or your car needs an annual inspection, your heater requires routine tune-ups in order to operate at peak health and efficiency. After a long year of sunny California weather, it’s easy to forget about your heating system. Still, when winter comes around, you’ll need a dependable unit.
At Star Mechanical, we offer both residential and commercial services, ensuring all Manteca homes and businesses are equipped with a safe and reliable heating system. Our team of insured technicians are highly trained and certified to inspect, repair and replace your unit in a professional, timely manner. Read on to learn more about what a tune-up entails and why they’re important.
What Are Professional Heating Tune-Ups?
A tune-up is a preventative form of heater maintenance. It includes a thorough examination and cleaning of your furnace’s working parts to ensure optimal performance. A professional will assess each component for any signs of wear and tear and identify potential hazards that may require immediate attention.
The technician will also perform a series of tests during their comprehensive checklist to verify your system is operating as it should. Many furnace manufacturers may also specify certain maintenance services needed to remain in compliance with warranty agreements. Therefore, keeping all records of service is essential to avoiding a lapsed warranty.
There are many types of heating systems that have varying maintenance needs, but, in general, a tune-up will include the following:
- Thermostat audit
- Air filter replacement
- Thorough cleaning of registers and igniter tubes
- Examination for rust and other damages
- Dust and debris removal
- Lubrication of fan and all moving parts
- Pilot light and ignition check
- Gas pressure and valve check
- Internal and external wiring inspection
- Carbon monoxide level measurement
- Final operation test
When To Get Heater Inspections
We recommend scheduling a heater tune-up at least once per year, preferably in the fall, before it gets too cold. You don’t want to be without reliable heating during wintertime, so it’s best to make sure your system is functioning properly before the months it will receive peak usage.
Many factors, such as mold, dirt and pet dander, affect the health and function of your heating unit while it lies idle all year long. Therefore, by the time winter rolls around, your heater has to work harder to provide warm air. Overworking can put a strain on many of its working parts, causing them to wear down — or break down!
The cost of scheduling an annual tune-up may seem like a hassle, but it will actually save you money down the road by avoiding future repairs and replacements. By detecting potential issues before they develop, you can rest easy knowing your system won’t break down on you, especially when you need it the most.
The Benefits Of Regular Maintenance
Increased Safety
A poorly maintained heater is more susceptible to electrical or gas connection issues, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide leaks, fire and explosion. The CDC reports that more than 400 Americans die each year of CO poisoning, more than 20,000 visits the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized.
Unfortunately, CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can build up in your home without realization. Therefore, a heating expert will make sure to check the carbon monoxide levels and inspect all unit components for cracks or loose connections to eliminate any potential hazards.
Lower Energy Bills
According to the Department of Energy, heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in your home — typically making up about 29% of your utility bill. However, routine maintenance of your heating unit increases its efficiency, therefore, lowering your overall energy usage and costs.
Longer Lifespan
With proper care, your heater should last a long time, so regular maintenance is essential to its short-term and long-term performance. Putting off your annual heater tune-up will eventually result in a compromised unit, increasing the need for costly repairs and shortening its operational shelf life.
Schedule Heater Tune-Ups In Manteca
As a family-owned and operated company, Star Mechanical cares about the comfort needs of our community. We take pride in providing home and business owners with five star service and 24/7 emergency assistance. If you have an emergency after scheduled office hours, make sure to give us a call instead of making an online request so that our team can respond to your needs as soon as possible.
Don’t get left in with the cold! Schedule your annual tune-up today.
