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| | | According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, regular furnace tune-ups can extend the life of the furnace, cut heating costs, limit breakdowns and repairs, and reduce the amount of smoke and other pollutants released into the atmosphere. Oil-fired furnaces should be tuned up and cleaned annually, gas systems every two years and heat pumps every 2-3 years. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Some maintenance tasks (such as replacing filters or cleaning vents) can be a do-it-yourself project for less that $25 worth of materials, although replacing parts such as a filter or fan belt can bump the cost higher..
- A professional furnace tune-up starts around $50 -$90 in many areas, but can run $100 -$150 for quality work in higher-priced regions. Replacement parts and labor for needed repairs are not usually included in the tune-up price.
What should be included: | - Do-it-yourself maintenance can include checking the thermostat to be sure it's working correctly; checking and replacing the filter; and oiling the motor and other moving parts (newer ones may be self-lubricating). ReadersDigest.com gives instructions, saying a do-it-yourself tune-up of a gas furnace takes about three hours. However, the site also suggests having a professional tune-up done every three years, and warns that oil furnace combustion chambers should only be worked on by professionals.
- A professional furnace tune-up should include checking and cleaning all the major parts of the furnace; adjusting the pilot and burner if needed; inspecting and replacing filters if needed; lubricating all motors (although newer models may be self-lubricating); and performing a combustion efficiency test. San Diego Gas and Electric provides an overview for gas furnace and boiler tune-ups, the National Oilheat Research Alliance provides similar information for oil-fired furnaces and ThisOldHouse.com provides a slide show of the steps that should be included.
Additional costs: | - Some companies use tune-ups to spot needed (and sometimes not-needed) repairs; make sure that any additional work will not be done automatically, but only if you approve the extra cost.
Discounts: | - Since tune-ups can improve efficiency, some utility companies offer a furnace tune-up rebate, usually around $20 -$40; check with you local power company.
Shopping for a furnace tune-up: | |
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Article updated April 2009 |
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