Technical > Home Improvement > Furnace inspection and tune-up: Worth it?

Furnace inspection and tune-up: Worth it?

What kind of furnace? gas/oil/electric/propane, steam/hot water/hot air ???

Gas furnace, forced air. It's a high-efficiency unit installed in 1989.

EDIT: There's also a central A/C system and humidifier (the "drips onto a screen" type) installed.

reply to TheSMJ
It has been my experience that you are spending your money wisely by getting an annual checkup.

Now that is assuming that you can find a reputable company which you should have little problem finding in Novi, MI.

This place (Harriman Heating Inc) has an A rating on Angie's List, so they should be ok.

Your gas utility may provide the same service for less money or even for free. So you may want to check with them, too.

reply to TheSMJ
I should have elaborated a little on my comment but the reason I said you should not have a problem is just because of you location having some brutal winter weather and the number of heating systems that need constant work.

Once you see how they do the job you should ask about an annual contract and see if you can get a little better price. The main thing of course is to get someone that will be there when the Furnace shoots craps in the middle of the winter!!!

Bob makes a good point so be sure to check that out also...

reply to TheSMJ

"I happen to be a CO sensor designer."

He sure picked on the wrong guy!!!

reply to TheSMJ
There's not much a furnace check-up does other than checking the flame for correct air/gas mixture, checking for leaks, making sure the flue is clear (if gas), and checking the filters. There's not much else to a furnace that could break, other than the blower motor, which you'll know right away when it doesn't work and can't predict it's failure in advance.

If you know what to look for, you can do all that in about 6 minutes for $0 dollars. The fear factor drives most people into paying someone to check it.

Inspecting the heat exchanger, cleaning and adjusting the pilot, lubricating the blower motor. Typical homeowners should not be attempting these things.

reply to TheSMJ
I decided to go for the inspection/tune-up. Here's hoping the place doesn't just try to sell me crap I don't need.

reply to TheSMJ
I don't necessarily do them every year but ever y couple of years for the furnace and AC.

reply to TheSMJ
I agree with many of the points already made. You can call your gas supplier and ask if they do inspection / cleaning. You might find them reasonable, and not have to worry about being pressured to buy a new system.
Most HVAC contractors aren't crooks. Just like any other business, there's always bad apples.
As mentioned, Angie's List is often a good indicator. If somebody is a shit-head, it's going to catch up with them.

It's probably a good idea to have a gas furnace checked / serviced every year.
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If someone refers to herself / himself as a "guru", they probably aren't.

reply to TheSMJ
Consumer's Energy only has a maintenance plan which costs $12 a month to cover repairs for your furnace + water heater. They don't do inspections.

Anyways, the guy from the HVAC company left a little while ago. He said the heat exchanger is deteriorating (condensation water is leaking out of it and onto the blower motor) and I should either get it replaced for ~$1100 installed, or just buy a new furnace (~5K for a top of the line model). He also went over all the rebates with me which I could get from the utilities if I were to go with a complete replacement, which was about $1000.

I guess the newer furnaces have variable speed blowers and have multistage heaters, as well as more efficient overall. With one of these I could heat/cool my split level quad more efficiently, because the blower could run very low and keep the air moving between the floors.

He didn't really look at the AC, but he said I should also get that inspected at some point in the future, and if I were to get both the furnace + AC replaced all at once, it would be the best deal for me (what a surprise).

I'm not sure what to do with this information. I know they're going to have a sales guy call me asking to take a look at my place and give me a quote on a new furnace, but I'm not sure how urgent or cost effective it would be to get the thing replaced.

Decisions decisions...

reply to TheSMJ
Did you actually see where the water was leaking out onto the blower motor???

I would certainly pay another HVAC company to come out and get a second opinion before I spent money on a new unit. Also don't give him any idea that you had someone else out.

See what he finds and then you will have a better idea exactly what you are dealing with.

Call it cheap insurance compared to buying a new system.

I have a Gas furnace that was installed in 1985 and needed a blower motor about 3 years ago. The Heat Exchanger is still fine.

By the way did he change the air filters of had you already done so???

reply to TheSMJ
I paid less than $500 for a new furnace last fall. Granted, it's not the fanciest or most efficient (Goodman, 2 stage, 82%).
I had no desire whatsoever to put any more money than required into this house, as I'll be moving soon.
I did install it myself, which saved on labor. I did have a professional make up the new ductwork and plenum.

$1100 would seem right for a completely new furnace (installed), with no exotic features.

$5,000 is out of the ball park. I'd probably seek another HVAC contractor.
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If someone refers to herself / himself as a "guru", they probably aren't.

A new gas furnace and central A/C system here runs $7,000 - $9,000.

reply to TheSMJ