Furnace tune ups

[signcrafter]

What's all involved in doing a tune up on a standard forced air furnace? I realize different models probably need different things done but overall what all is involved? From what I have seen they just vacuum out the dust and give things a good look over. Is there more too it? Do they clean other parts? Test any electrical stuff? Anything else? I'd like to keep mine running as good as it can so just wondering what all a tune up consists of.

 

[harley jim]

On a gas furnace the burner is cleaned with a thin blade and vacuumed, the a coil or slab coil is sprayed with coil cleaner and flushed or cleaned with a brush, the burner flame is adjusted if needed The voltage draw on the electric motor is checked on hvac units I always checked the capacitors and freon psi on the ac side. But yes it is basically a through cleaning.

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[danski0224]

The furnace should be checked with a combustion analyzer. This is the only way to know if it's working properly.

 

[Bert_]

I put a drop of oil in the blower and inducer fan motors every few years.

Those motors and the ignitor seem to be common failure items as they age.

 

[Showkey]

Talked about many times prior. Buyer beware......

Just like the quick oil change places selling brakes, wipers, tires, exhaust and all kinds flushes and chemical miracles in can........be prepared for the UPSELL by the HVAC guy.......like.........simple filter upgrade, duct cleaning, prevent parts replacing to whole system needs replacing.

If you want more info on what the problems with “tuneups” is search YouTube for “HVAC ripoff”. Unfortunately there are hours of viewing from quality HVAC guys to investigation TV with hidden cameras.

Worst/best case the blow out the dust, change a filter and run the system charging for $125-$200. Depends on DIY skill set if some or all of these services can be done by yourself.

This not a HVAC thing happens with the plumbing, electrical, roofing, foundation, mold, radon, pest control, vehicle repair, even in health care.........dentist, chiropractors etc

Side bar........HVAC contractors running ads on the radio the R22 AC systems are obsolete because R22 is “banned” and no longer produced or imported.....so it’s time to upgrade...........trade your “AC unit in” on new system, offering $500-$1000 trade value. Hope the general public understands that unit might run another 5-10 or 20 years.

 

[danski0224]

Worst/best case the blow out the dust, change a filter and run the system charging for $125-$200.

If this price is being charged, and if the furnace/boiler is being checked out with a combustion analyzer, then I believe it is a fair price to get a technician to the door and perform that task, plus the minor additional items that a modern residential piece of equipment may need.

On the other hand, the places that advertise "clean and checks" for $19.95, $29.95, $49.95, $69.95.... and the like ARE going to rip you off.

 

[brewchief]

If this price is being charged, and if the furnace/boiler is being checked out with a combustion analyzer, then I believe it is a fair price to get a technician to the door and perform that task, plus the minor additional items that a modern residential piece of equipment may need.



On the other hand, the places that advertise "clean and checks" for $19.95, $29.95, $49.95, $69.95.... and the like ARE going to rip you off.

I agree that that is a fair price if it includes combustion testing. We do combustion testing on all of our tune ups, we charge a bit more for a " utility" tune up, that requires combustion testing both before and after the full cleaning and covers some extra paperwork that we submit that gets the customer a rebate from the utility company.



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[nadogail]

My system just got it's seasonal check yesterday, filter is dirty enough to warrant replacement. The tech had the exact filter on his truck for $90 something dollars.

He watched as I ordered 2 filters from Amazon, 73 Dollars for the pair. They will be here by Monday.

 

[engineer2]

Cean the flame sensor and where it attaches. Very low millivolt signal, so clean connections are important.
Buy a spare igniter. They always fail on Sunday evening when it's below zero. Not hard to change.

 

[SGKent]

It took me about 2 hours to open the coil, spray it, let the foam sit, wash and capture the foam and water so it did not drip down onto the furnace, and then blow it dry with a long wand I made to go on the air hose. Gotta be careful not to hit it with such high air pressure that it collapses the fins. Then put back together, tape and check the air pressures across it. Also check the burners for cracks or obvious buildup. What is 2 hours worth to a professional? I'd guess that would be a $250 - $300 job plus the service call. I also checked the air volume and reduced it a tad because the original installer had it set on a 3 ton unit for AC speed but it is a 2.5 ton unit so I reduced CFM from 1200 to 1000 to increase the deltaT. (400 CFM per ton). Furnace speed was left alone. I clean the outside unit a couple times a year and make sure nothing is growing or nesting near it.

 

[Jim greengo]

As long as you keep your filters checked/changed regularly theres not a whole lot to servicing newer furnaces.
I usually tell people to keep the filter clean and call me if theres a problem.

 

[Notgrownup]

Heat pump set up here, change my filters almost monthly with pleated filters. My HVAC guys said my almost 18 years old system was very clean, they come every year and clean my condenser and coils and check for $200. Worth it to me.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Seems to me the $59.99 service might actually be worth it. What they are really trying to do is upsell you other services or try to sell you a whole new system. Likely the techs are receiving some sort of commission %.

But...you know...if it really is like the "cheapy" oil change places? You can't change your own oil for what they charge you for an oil change at most of those places. At least not unless you can find a sale for your oil and filter. I've been taking my daily drivers to those places for decades and I've never had an issue with their oil change work. Now, they have tried to lie to me about my windshield wipers or differential oil a time-or-two...but once they get to know you and realize you don't buy ANYTHING extra...they stop wasting their time.

If the quicky tune up places are the same....Just tell them as soon as they walk in the door, "I want you do do the best job you can on cleaning my equipment, but I won't be buying anything other than the cleaning service. I hope you understand."

It'll save you time. It'll save them time. You can get the discounted service and hopefully avoid the upsell.

Phil

 

[danski0224]

Unless the combustion equipment is being checked with a combustion analyzer, a "clean and check" (C&C) isn't worth it.

I can guarantee you that anyone coming out on just about anything less than $100.00 has a very short time limit imposed by the employer.

I know for a fact that one shop that advertised a "$99.00 AC C&C" told the employees that they had 15 minutes to either sell something or finish the job.

Anyone that really thinks they are getting more that what they pay for is a fool. If the shop labor rate is $125.00, and the "C&C" is $49.95, that doesn't even cover the drive time. You WILL be given a gloom and doom sales pitch.

 

[SGKent]

Personally I would find a HVAC company that I trusted, and just pay them to do the job right. Many shops around here only want to sell products, not service them unless it is a 5 minute filter change for $75 to $100. We change our own filters but have a shop we use for anything that requires the equipment to do the job right. I used to service my own R22 unit but so much has changed with EPA that by the time I buy the newer tools I'll never get my money back on it. Our cars are different. I can pay someone to evac one, then work on it myself, and recharge it for $500 less than the automotive shops around here want. I have the EPA certs.