Your Heater Sat Idle for Seven Months. Is It Ready?
After spending all spring and summer doing nothing while your AC ran nonstop, your heating system gets called back into service sometime between October and December. The question is whether it’s ready — and the answer is usually “probably, but not definitely.”
That uncertainty is exactly what a heating tune-up eliminates. F & R Air Conditioning has been maintaining heating systems across Acadiana since 1956. We know what Louisiana’s long idle seasons do to furnaces and heat pumps, and we know what to check to make sure they fire up safely when you need them.
Gas Furnace Tune-Up Checklist
For homes with natural gas or propane furnaces, our factory-trained technicians perform a thorough safety and performance inspection:
- Heat exchanger inspection: we visually inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, corrosion, or separation. A compromised heat exchanger is a carbon monoxide risk, and the EPA identifies carbon monoxide as one of the most dangerous indoor pollutants — and the single most important safety item in any furnace tune-up.
- Burner assembly cleaning. Burners collect dust, rust, and sometimes insect nests during the off-season. We clean the burner assembly and verify even flame distribution and proper ignition.
- Gas connection check: we test gas line connections at the furnace for leaks and verify proper gas pressure. Even small leaks can become hazards over time.
- Ignition system. Whether your furnace uses a hot surface igniter or electronic spark ignition, we test the component and measure its performance. Igniters are wear items that fail without warning. We can tell you if yours is nearing the end of its life.
- Flue and venting: we verify the exhaust flue is clear, properly connected, and drafting correctly. A blocked or disconnected flue is another carbon monoxide risk.
- Blower motor and airflow: we check the blower motor amperage, lubricate where applicable, and verify proper airflow across the heat exchanger. Restricted airflow causes overheating and premature heat exchanger failure.
- Safety controls. We test the high-limit switch, flame sensor, and pressure switches to make sure the furnace will shut down safely if something goes wrong.
- Thermostat operation: we verify the thermostat calls for heat correctly and cycles the furnace as expected.
Heat Pump Heating Tune-Up
For homes with heat pumps, the heating tune-up focuses on the system’s ability to reverse operation and heat efficiently:
- Reversing valve operation: we verify the valve switches correctly between heating and cooling modes.
- Defrost cycle. We test the defrost board, sensor, and timing so the outdoor coil doesn’t ice over during cold weather.
- Refrigerant charge: low refrigerant affects heating performance just as much as cooling. We measure the charge and check for leaks.
- Auxiliary heat. We test backup heat strips (if equipped) and verify they only engage when needed, not as the primary heat source.
- Outdoor coil condition: we clean the outdoor coil and check for debris, vegetation encroachment, or damage that could restrict airflow.
Why Fall Tune-Ups Matter Here
Louisiana’s heating season is short but unpredictable. We might go from 80°F to 35°F in 48 hours during a winter cold front. When that happens, your heating system goes from idle to full demand with no warm-up period. Equipment that hasn’t been checked can fail under that sudden load — and emergency heating repair on a 30-degree night is neither convenient nor cheap.
A fall tune-up gives you confidence that your system will perform when the temperature drops. The Department of Energy recommends scheduling professional maintenance annually. It also satisfies manufacturer warranty requirements, which typically mandate annual professional maintenance.
Roll It Into a Plan
If you want both your heating and cooling systems covered with one annual commitment, our maintenance plans include two seasonal tune-ups, priority scheduling, and repair discounts. It’s the easiest way to stay on top of maintenance without having to remember to call twice a year.
F & R has been keeping Acadiana warm (and cool) since 1956. Contact us to schedule your heating tune-up before the first cold front of the season.