What does furnace maintenance include?

Author: Guy Kunde  |  Last update: Sunday, October 19, 2025

Recommended maintenance includes cleaning the filters, checking the burner and heat exchanger, and inspecting electrical connections. An annual service plan can help ensure your furnace runs efficiently and prevent costly breakdowns.

What does a furnace tune up include?

A certified technician will carefully examine your furnace, checking for any signs of wear, damage, or potential issues. This includes inspecting the heat exchanger, burner, ignition system, electrical connections, and thermostat.

How much does furnace maintenance cost?

Annual maintenance can be between $150 and $500 — which includes inspection and basic repairs. Furnace inspections cost between $100 and $300. Remember, it depends on the furnace brand, field type, and model.

What should be included in a furnace cleaning?

HOW TO CLEAN A FURNACE IN 4 STEPS
  1. Turn off Power and Gas to the Furnace. Before attempting to clean your furnace, it's always a good idea to shut off power to the unit and also shut off the gas. ...
  2. CLEAN THE BLOWER. ...
  3. CLEAN THE FURNACE FLAME SENSOR. ...
  4. CLEAN THE FURNACE COILS.

What does a furnace check-up include?

For a better understanding, here's a list of what's included in a furnace maintenance check:
  • Inspect the air filter. ...
  • Test the thermostat: for proper operation sure it's set to heat and the battery works.
  • Test the Ignition system for proper operation.
  • Inspect the heat exchangers for any cracks or other signs of damage.

What Does Furnace Maintenance Include?

What is routine maintenance on a furnace?

How often should my furnace be serviced? Your furnace should be serviced at least once a year, ideally in the fall before the heating season begins. Recommended maintenance includes cleaning the filters, checking the burner and heat exchanger, and inspecting electrical connections.

How much does it cost to have someone come check your furnace?

A furnace inspection costs an average of $80 to $100. Your cost may increase if more furnace repairs are needed, or based on the specifics of your HVAC system. If detrimental issues are uncovered, you'll be quoted for the repair or potential replacement of your HVAC equipment.

How long does furnace maintenance take?

Professional furnace maintenance usually takes up to 2 hours. However, it may take longer if the furnace is especially large or dirty. How much does it cost to get your furnace serviced?

What is preventive maintenance on a furnace?

Preventive maintenance tasks include cleaning or replacing filters, lubricating moving parts, checking electrical connections, and inspecting the overall condition of your furnace system. This proactive approach helps maintain optimal performance, prevent breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your equipment.

What is the first thing you check when maintaining a furnace?

Inspecting the air filter is the first item on our furnace maintenance checklist because it is so critical to performance. Regular air filter replacement is essential, whether your furnace is electric or burns natural gas, propane, or oil.

What is the most expensive part to fix on a furnace?

A heat exchanger replacement is often one of the most costly repairs in a furnace, and the expense can sometimes rival that of installing a new furnace. Typical replacement costs vary widely but can easily reach several thousand dollars, especially if labor costs are factored in.

Can you clean your furnace yourself?

Your furnace may become dirty due to heavy use, requiring a cleaning mid-season, which you can likely do yourself – but if you're not comfortable, always call your technician for help.

What is the average life of a furnace?

How long does a traditional furnace last? An average furnace is designed to operate for 15 to 30 years in a home. The easiest way to increase the life cycle of your furnace is to hire a certified technician to perform maintenance and repairs once a year.

Is furnace maintenance necessary?

It's highly recommended that you have your furnace serviced and cleaned at least once per year for the reasons we mentioned above. No matter what type of furnace you have, you can leave it to us at Guest Plumbing & HVAC.

What month is best for furnace tune up?

The best time for a furnace tune-up depends on when it gets cold where you live. Here in College Station, you may not turn on your furnace until late November or December. You should schedule a tune-up a couple of weeks to a month before you turn your heater on for the winter season.

Should I turn my furnace off if it's blowing cold air?

Typically, there's a 10 to 15 minutes allowance for this. However, if after this time it's still producing cold air, then there's an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. It would be wise to turn the furnace off and get in touch with a pro immediately for help dealing with the issue.

What routine maintenance is required for a furnace?

Schedule Regular Checkups

Check vents, flues, and intakes for blockages and free flow of air. Inspect the heat exchanger and blower. Lubricating and inspecting moving parts, such as the blower fan. Performing electrical checks on furnace components and electrical connections.

What does furnace cleaning include?

Some of the specific tasks involved in our furnace maintenance checklist include: Inspecting the vent system and air intake grilles, removing any blockages. Checking the heat exchanger for signs of damage or corrosion. Examining and cleaning the blower, removing any debris.

What happens if you don't maintain your furnace?

When you skip a yearly furnace maintenance appointment, cracks can begin to form in the heat exchanger. As these cracks form, carbon monoxide begins to leak into your air vents.

How much is typical furnace maintenance?

Regular furnace maintenance can run you anywhere from $100 to $500, costing around $300 on average. Generally speaking, electric furnaces tend to cost less maintenance-wise, while gas furnaces are the more expensive investments.

How long does it take to get your air ducts cleaned?

How Long Does Air Duct Cleaning Service Take? Air duct cleaning takes anywhere between an hour and a full day (or more, in commercial HVAC systems cleaning). A standard air duct cleaning would be two to three hours and would cover the HVAC unit, the main return, the vents in the rooms and the air ducts themselves.

How often should you get a gas furnace cleaned?

A gas furnace should be serviced at least once a year, preferably, though, in both the spring and the fall. Annual maintenance, including a thorough examination and cleaning of the parts that commonly malfunction, like the air filter, the fan, the pilot light, and the heat exchanger, can usually prevent these problems.

What is included in a furnace inspection?

Some things that an HVAC Technician may look at when inspecting and performing regular maintenance on your furnace include: Checking the safety controls are functioning. Looking at the heat exchanger (which can cause a carbon monoxide leak if damaged) Checking the ventilation system.

Do you tip the guy who services your furnace?

In general, however, it is appropriate to tip an HVAC installer for a job well done. A general rule to follow is giving 5-10% of the total charges for the service. This will express and satisfy both your appreciation and budget respectively.

Does homeowners insurance cover furnace issues?

A standard policy typically won't cover the cost to replace your furnace if there was a mechanical problem, but you may be able to add an equipment breakdown endorsement for an additional cost that may provide coverage.

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