Fall Is Warm in Palm Beach, but a Furnace Inspection Is Still a Good Idea

Though autumn is warm in Palm Beach, it’s still a good idea to check you furnace every fall before our short South Florida heating season kicks in. Regular furnace inspections keep your heating system running efficiently and identify issues that could become big problems down the road. Though some of the steps required to inspect a furnace can be performed by a savvy homeowner, a legitimate fall furnace inspection and tune-up should be handled by a professional. Here’s what you can expect a technician to do during your fall furnace inspection:

Check burner flames. The technician will inspect the burner flames. Ideally, they should be blue. If they are yellow, the burners are dirty. Burners should only be adjusted by a professional.
Vacuum burners. Your HVAC expert will vacuum the furnace base and burners. He or she will check for the presence of soot, which is produced as a result of poor combustion. The blower compartment will also be cleaned. Every furnace tune-up should include an inspection of the heat exchanger to make sure that it’s not cracked or damaged.
Clean blower. To clean the blower, a vacuum and a small brush are used, so as not to disturb the wiring or fan blades.
Change filter. The air filter will be changed if this hasn’t been done recently. It is recommended that the air filter be changed every one to three months. It should be checked monthly throughout the year if your furnace blower also works with your A/C system.
Clean pilot and flame sensor. The technician will clean the pilot light on older furnaces equipped with one. A dusty or dirty pilot cannot be detected properly by the flame sensor, which may give a false reading. The flame sensor will be removed and cleaned of any residue.
Clean hot surface igniters. The technician will clean the hot surface igniters by blowing air around them. Flame igniters can be easily broken if not handled correctly, so it’s best to have a professional handle this part.
Check exhaust vents and gas lines. This is a key safety step during a fall furnace inspection.

Regular inspections can help you identify issues before they become major problems. Please contact us at NisAir Air Conditioning and Heating for more expert information about a fall furnace inspection. We have has been serving Palm Beach and surrounding counties since 1973.