A properly maintained furnace runs more efficiently, lasts longer, fails less often, and — most importantly — operates safely. This 21-point checklist covers every aspect of a professional furnace tune-up. Use it to understand what your technician should be doing and what you can do between professional services.
1. Heat exchanger inspection (visual + borescope). 2. Carbon monoxide test in supply air stream. 3. Venting system inspection (intact, properly sloped, clear). 4. Gas leak detection at all connections. 5. Safety control testing (high-limit, rollout switch, pressure switch). 6. Combustion air verification (adequate supply per code). 7. CO detector verification.
8. Burner removal, cleaning, and inspection. 9. Flame sensor cleaning and microamp measurement. 10. Ignitor inspection and resistance testing. 11. Gas valve leak-down test. 12. Manifold gas pressure measurement and adjustment. 13. Combustion analysis: CO, CO2, O2, flue temperature, excess air. 14. Flame appearance and stability verification.
15. Blower motor amp draw measurement. 16. Blower wheel cleaning. 17. Motor bearing lubrication (if applicable). 18. Capacitor microfarad testing. 19. Electrical connection tightening. 20. Filter replacement. 21. Temperature rise measurement across heat exchanger.
After all 21 points are completed, we provide a written report with: all measurement values, any items requiring attention (with priority level), filter replacement schedule, and next service due date. This documentation is valuable for warranty claims, home sales, and insurance purposes.
Each point addresses a specific failure mode. Skipping the flame sensor costs $150-$200 when it fails. Skipping the capacitor test means a $300 blower motor replacement when the capacitor fails and the motor overheats. The 21-point checklist is designed so no failure mode goes unchecked.
A cracked heat exchanger allows combustion gases into your breathing air. This is not theoretical — it happens regularly in aging furnaces. Visual inspection and combustion analysis are the two complementary detection methods. Both must be performed; neither alone is sufficient.
A combustion analyzer measures what's going up the flue. High CO indicates incomplete combustion — dangerous. High O2 indicates excess air — wasting energy. Flue temperature indicates heat exchanger efficiency. These measurements quantify your furnace's health in numbers, not opinions.
The blower circulates heated air throughout your home. A dirty blower wheel can lose 30% of its airflow capacity. A failing capacitor causes the motor to run hot and burn out. A loose belt slips and reduces airflow. Blower maintenance during a tune-up prevents the most common winter breakdown.
A basic check may include 5-8 items (visual inspection, filter change, quick CO test). A 21-point tune-up is a systematic, measured inspection of every critical system — electrical, combustion, airflow, and safety. All measurements are documented, creating a health record for your furnace over time.
$129-$199 in Metro Vancouver. This includes the full 21-point inspection, cleaning, adjustments, and a written report. Considering that a single emergency repair costs $300-$1,500+, the tune-up is inexpensive insurance. Many homeowners schedule it alongside AC maintenance for a discounted combined rate.
60-90 minutes for a thorough 21-point service. Rushed services (30 minutes or less) typically skip important steps — usually the heat exchanger inspection and combustion analysis, which are time-consuming but critical for safety. If a service takes less than an hour, ask what was skipped.
Homeowner-appropriate tasks: replace the filter, clean around the furnace, check registers, test the thermostat, test CO detectors, and visually inspect exterior vents. The remaining 15+ points require a licensed gas fitter with specialized test equipment and the knowledge to interpret the results.
Three ways: 1) Reduced energy consumption (10-25% savings from clean, tuned components). 2) Fewer breakdowns (preventive maintenance catches 60-70% of potential failures). 3) Extended equipment life (regularly maintained furnaces last 3-5 years longer). The ROI on furnace maintenance exceeds 300% over the equipment's lifetime.
Call us for professional service across Metro Vancouver. Licensed technicians available 24/7.
Call 778-909-5731