Hiring the Best HVAC Technician Near Me

Furnaces are typically out of sight and out of mind—right up until cold weather hits. At that point, homeowners hope their furnace is in good working order to help keep the house warm as temperatures drop. While it’s easy to adjust a thermostat, change batteries, and even change filters, there’s a lot more that goes into the process of making sure your furnace is safe and ready to use.

Licensed HVAC professionals are well qualified to identify potential problems with your furnace that can cause it to malfunction just when you need it most. As an added bonus, regular furnace maintenance can help to reduce energy costs by making sure the furnace is running at peak performance. Part of good home maintenance is preparing your mechanical equipment for upcoming seasonal changes, so if you’re ready to get started, keep reading to learn how and why to schedule a furnace inspection after searching for “furnace inspection near me.”

Cost of a Furnace Inspection

It’s recommended to have an annual inspection done on your furnace to help prevent more costly expenses down the road for emergency repairs. On average, you can expect to pay between $80 and $100 for a furnace inspection. The cost depends on your location, the time of year, the size of your system, and the severity of the problems being inspected. Some companies may also charge an additional trip fee, so be sure to ask about all associated fees when calling for quotes. You’ll also want to ask about the services included, as some companies may not include duct cleaning in a furnace inspection.

What’s Included in a Furnace Inspection?

You might be surprised to find just how much HVAC technicians can get done during a furnace inspection. They inspect for safety issues as well as performance problems that can be adjusted to help extend the life of the furnace by 20 to 40 percent and make it more energy efficient.

Common problems that HVAC technicians can address during a furnace inspection include:

  • Clogged blowers that reduce efficiency
  • Dirty filters that strain the airflow system
  • Cracks in the heat exchanger or pipes that can leak gas into the house
  • Cracks or leaks in the ductwork that affect efficiency
  • Burners that aren’t operating properly or at all
  • Unlubricated parts that need attention
  • Yellow or orange pilot lights that should be blue
  • A thermostat that’s not properly communicating with the furnace
  • Banging sounds coming from the furnace
  • Electrical wiring that’s exposed or worn
  • Clogged condensation drains
  • Incorrect measurements of combustion gas output
  • Furnace runs but doesn’t blow warm air
  • Motor that has a low amp draw
  • Energy bills have risen lately

It’s important to note that some problems with a furnace can’t be solved during an inspection. The technician may need to order parts or complete a complicated repair with the help of other technicians. Furnaces have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years, so if your furnace needs repairs often or it’s reaching the end of its lifespan, it may need to be replaced instead.

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-hire-furnace-inspection-near-me/