Whether you’re getting a checkup with your doctor or bringing your car in for an inspection, these are two ways that you can make sure everything is functioning properly and catch any potential issues before they become major problems. Just like your health or that of your car, you also want to give your furnace or boiler an annual tune-up. In order to make sure your heating oil furnace, boiler or other home energy equipment is functioning properly, it’s important to have an expert check them out on an annual basis.
When equipment is not maintained, many problems can develop. The unit could break down, requiring costly repairs. Lack of maintenance could also shorten the unit’s lifespan, requiring you to shell out more money for a replacement much sooner than necessary. Poorly-maintained equipment can also pose safety issues.
A proper annual tune-up from one of our NATE-certified technicians can prevent any of these issues. Here are a number of ways a NATE-certified technician can check your furnace or boiler as part of a tune-up:
Boiler and Furnace Airflow
The technician will ensure that your unit is receiving proper airflow, and it’s not blocked or otherwise restricted. Restricted airflow can place an excessive strain on the equipment, which leads to increased repairs over time and a shortened lifespan overall.
Boiler and Furnace Efficiency
Efficient equipment can benefit your wallet in the long run, while keeping you comfortable. By increasing efficiency, a boiler or furnace can help you save on utility bills. Proper equipment cleaning keeps your unit running at maximum efficiency, saving you money on your energy bills every month.
Boiler and Furnace Safety
Safety is paramount, and a technician will be sure to maintain the safety of your equipment through a checkup. Home heating equipment can lead to safety issues such as fires if they’re not properly cleaned of any containments, especially fuel burning equipment using a combustion process.
Boiler and Furnace Repairs
Repairing a boiler or furnace can cost hundreds of dollars, and if they don’t receive proper treatment they could develop problems. An annual tune-up lets your technician detect any potentially expensive repairs before they happen, saving you a great deal of trouble as well as money. During your unit’s tune-up, our NATE-certified technician is also performing an inspection to catch any issues that might become costly repairs if left untreated.
Important Steps in a Tune-Up
During an annual checkup, the technician will assess every part of the equipment and run through a number of tests to make sure everything is running smoothly. Our technicians are happy to answer any questions you may have about the process:
- Thermostat: Look over the thermostat to see how well it’s functioning.
- Flammable materials: Check to make sure the equipment is clear of any flammable or combustible materials.
- Soot: Open up the unit and clean out parts with built up soot. Clean the smoke pipe and chimney base to remove built up soot.
- Filter: Replace the oil filer.
- Nozzle: Replace the burner nozzle.
- Motors: Clean and check the motors and fans. Lubricate the motors.
- Burner: Adjust the burner for proper combustion.
- Smoke: Take a smoke reading to make sure the unit is functioning properly.
- Safety: Check the operation and safety of the equipment.
- Efficiency: Perform an efficiency test on the unit to make sure it’s optimized.
Service Agreements
SMO Energy offers affordable service agreements to protect your equipment from expensive HVAC repairs. These include a free annual tune-up!
Annual tune-ups are important to the long-term maintenance of your HVAC equipment. At SMO Energy, our NATE-certified technicians take the time to interview the client about their equipment’s performance and address any concerns the client might have with the equipment. To schedule your annual tune up, contact us today.