Furnace, heat pump and AC tune-ups in Everett
A lot of the no-heat calls we run in December started as something small a fall tune-up would have caught. The visit takes about an hour and costs a lot less than an emergency call.
What we do on a tune-up
It's more than a filter swap. On a typical visit we:
- Clean the flame sensor and burners on a furnace, or the coils on a heat pump or AC
- Check the heat exchanger for cracks and test for carbon monoxide on gas furnaces
- Test the safety switches, the igniter and the capacitors
- Check refrigerant pressures and airflow on heat pumps and AC
- Tighten electrical connections and check how hard the motors are working
- Flush the condensate drain and check the thermostat
- Put in a new filter (bring out your spare, or we'll bring one)
When we're done, you get a quick rundown of how the system's doing and anything we'd keep an eye on. If we find a problem, we tell you what it costs to fix, and you decide whether to do it now or later.
When to schedule
Furnaces in late summer or early fall, before the first cold week. AC in spring. Heat pumps heat and cool here, so they're best with a visit in both spring and fall. The schedule fills up fast once the weather turns, which makes September and April the easy months to get in.
What it costs
A tune-up runs $129–$199, depending on the type of system. Doing the furnace and AC on the same visit costs less than booking them separately.
Things you can do yourself
- Check the filter monthly and change it when it's gray. Every one to three months is typical for a 1-inch filter.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, fir needles and blackberry vines.
- Rinse the filters in mini split heads every month or two.
- Test your carbon monoxide alarms when the clocks change.
Common questions
Is a tune-up really worth it?
For most systems, yes. It costs about the same as one service call, and it's how we find the worn igniter or the weak capacitor before it quits on a cold night. We wrote more about it here.
My system is brand new. Does it need one?
A yearly visit is still a good idea, and some manufacturers ask for maintenance records if you ever make a warranty claim. Keep your receipts.
How long does it take?
About an hour for one system.