As cooler temperatures loom, it’s time to schedule an annual furnace inspection that will keep your heating bills lower, improve your comfort and reassure your safety. When an HVAC professional goes through your heating system, he or she checks the entire system.Furnace inspections typically include:

• Cleaning the burner, the gas orifice and the blower wheel. If you don’t change the air filter when it’s dirty, dust can enter the air handler and reduce the energy efficiency of the system. It can also contribute to premature part failure.
• Evaluating the gas-to-air ratio so that it meets the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Oiling the blower motor. A motor that’s low on oil will raise your energy bills and wear out faster.
• Tightening any belts inside the furnace and all the electrical connections.
• Verify that all the gas connections are tight.
• Checking the heat exchanger for cracks that can emit carbon monoxide (CO) into your home and possibly result in a red tagged furnace, which must be disabled until it’s repaired or replaced.
• Making sure that all the safety features inside your furnace are operating properly, including the high limit switch and the thermocouple. This part of the furnace inspection gives you more confidence that the system will function as it should throughout the winter.
• Inspecting the flue and verifying that it’s clear and has no corrosion or damage.
• Looking at the seal the air handler’s door makes with the unit. It needs to be tight so that all the air entering the air handler goes through the air filter, helping to keep the system clean.
• Inspecting the ductwork and repairing any leaks with mastic or metal tape. These leaks should never be sealed with duct tape, since it’s adhesive is short lived. Duct leaks drain your energy budget and can distribute CO throughout your home.
• Testing the thermostat for accurate calibration.