Furnace Maintenance Service & Tune-Up

Everyday use gradually takes its toll on heating systems. That's why it's smart to arrange routine heating system maintenance, especially in the fall as you head into heating season. Regular furnace maintenance service can help ensure you’ll continually enjoy heating performance and extend your system's useful life, reducing the risk of expensive repairs and keeping a lid on your heating costs.

That's where your local ARS®/Rescue Rooter® professional can help. Our trained, experienced specialists can provide the heating maintenance you need to keep your furnace running strong for as long as possible—and you can rest assured that all of our services are always backed by our Exceptional Service Guarantee. Here's how we do it:

Filter Replacement

Heating system filters play an integral role in your furnace's performance. The wrong filter choice (one that doesn’t fit properly or diminishes air flow) can increase your energy bills and lead to repairs that could have been avoided. The optimal filter can help improve your home’s air quality and help you save money.

That's why we suggest cleaning your reusable filters or replacing your HVAC system's filter every three months. Treat that as a general recommendation, since the right schedule can vary with usage, climate, and your system's maintenance history.

You will have a variety of filter options to choose from according to your specific HVAC system. Though all air filters are designed to let air flow freely while removing dust, contaminants, pet dander, pollen, and more—some are more efficient than others.

Before deciding on a model, review the filter's Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), which reports how well it captures particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. According to the EPA's MERV rating guide, the higher the MERV rating, the better a filter is at trapping specific sizes of particles. Your technician can help you choose a rating your system's fan and filter slot can handle. Some of the most common filters include:

• Disposable fiberglass filters are the least expensive—but also the least effective. These filters are capable of blocking only large dust particles, which means smaller particles such as pollen and mold can pass right through.
• Washable "electrostatic" filters have a static charge to attract dust, dirt, and other airborne contaminants. While these filters are slightly more effective than their disposable equivalents, they still don’t block the smaller particles.
• Pleated "allergy" filters use a denser mesh material to more effectively trap and eliminate potential allergens like pollen and mold.
• Electronic air cleaners create an ionized electrical field that "magnetizes" pollutant particles, which may help capture pollen, mold spores, and other airborne particles.
• HEPA furnace filters are generally considered to be the "gold standard." These filters are used when clean air is vital, like in hospitals and electronics manufacturing facilities.

Heater Tune-Up

Getting a regular furnace tune-up may seem like a hassle, but in the long run they can save you time—and money. Your heating system is an important part of your home that requires proper maintenance to run smoothly. The experts at ARS/Rescue Rooter strive to ensure that all the work done on your furnace is completed with precision and care. With regular tune-ups, your furnace can continue to keep you warm when it matters the most.

Stay proactive and don’t wait until your furnace is burnt out and beyond repair. Call in your local specialist to schedule a furnace tune-up when your system is still in good shape and ensure it stays that way. An ARS/Rescue Rooter furnace tune-up includes these services:

• Clean and adjust burners, including the flame sensor
• Clean the blower compartment
• Tighten and inspect wire connections
• Inspect the heat exchanger
• Inspect the gas pressure and flame operation
• Inspect for proper operation of igniter and pilot light
• Look at and vacuum indoor filter
• Check ductwork and connections for proper airflow
• Check for carbon monoxide leaks and perform additional safety and efficiency checks

After completion, your heating maintenance specialist will walk you through your Furnace Tune-Up Checklist and provide any recommendations about furnace system maintenance.

Annual service matters for safety, too. The EPA's carbon monoxide guidance recommends having a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune up central heating systems, including furnaces, flues, and chimneys, every year.

When to Schedule Your Furnace Tune-Up

The best time to book annual furnace maintenance is early fall, when you're switching from your air conditioner to your furnace. You may need a tune-up sooner if you notice:

• Rising energy bills
• Unusual noises from the furnace
• Inconsistent heating from room to room
• A furnace that cycles on and off frequently
• Dust and dirt building up around vents

Before you call, check these things at home:

• Clean or replace your air filter if it's been about three months.
• Clear snow and debris from outside vents for fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, as recommended in CPSC winter safety tips.
• Test your carbon monoxide alarms monthly and replace batteries if needed.

If the problem continues, it's time to schedule a tune-up with your local ARS/Rescue Rooter team.

Boilers and Radiators

Many homes are heated by hot water or steam, two types of "sealed water-circulating systems" that circulate water heated by a boiler through pipes to radiators.

With regular use, it's only natural that these systems will need maintenance to run smoothly. Here are a few heating maintenance tips that may reduce the amount and severity of boiler and/or radiator repairs. Most of these should be performed by a professional.

Bleed Your Hot-Water System

At the start of each heating season, you will need to bleed your system of unwanted air. While the system is running, go from radiator to radiator and open each bleed valve slightly, then close it when water starts to escape. For multi-level homes, start at the top floor and work your way down.

Zoned Heating Systems

You may be able to save energy by retrofitting separate controls for different zones in large homes, such as areas that are not used often or are on a different schedule than the rest of the home.

Insulate Pipes

In steam and hot water systems, insulating pipes can be cost-effective because it helps reduce heat loss in areas you don't need to heat. Install fiberglass pipe insulation that can withstand the high temperatures of these delivery pipes.

Steam Heating System

Steam radiators also need regular maintenance. A clogged air vent will keep a steam radiator from heating up, and usually needs to be replaced. If you notice one of your radiators is not heating up, you should contact a heating specialist to check the air vent.

Banging Radiators

Steam radiators can warp floors and dig ruts, causing the radiator to tilt and creating banging noises when the radiator heats up. Shims should be inserted under radiators to pitch them slightly toward the pipe in a one-pipe system or toward the steam trap in a two-pipe system.

Pro Service Plan

As a homeowner, it’s important to make sure all systems are in good working order, especially your furnace system for those chilly winters. While you understand the importance of regular maintenance, when do you call in the experts for a tune-up or inspection? And how often should they come?

With an ARS/Rescue Rooter Pro Service Plan, feel confident knowing that your furnace maintenance is in good hands. Our plan includes developing a regular schedule of cleaning and tuning so your HVAC system can run reliably and efficiently. That may help improve performance and energy efficiency and help prevent costly breakdowns, so your furnace is ready when you need it most. Our Pro Service Plan includes:

• Two HVAC preventive maintenance visits per year
• Priority service seven days a week**
• Discounts on diagnostic fees and on repairs and accessories
• Up to a $1,500 credit toward a replacement system, depending on your plan
• A dedicated phone number for service
• Flexible payment—pay annually or monthly by credit/debit card*

The Pro Service Plan includes two HVAC preventive maintenance visits per year. Plumbing maintenance is available as an optional add-on.

What Affects the Cost of Furnace Maintenance?

The price of furnace maintenance depends on your system and the type of service you choose. Here's what typically shapes the cost:

• Your furnace type and fuel. Gas, oil, and electric furnaces need different checks. Oil-fired heating devices aren't covered by Pro Service Plan base plans.
• How many systems you have. Each Pro Service Plan base plan covers one HVAC system. Each additional system is $10 per month.
• Your furnace's condition. If your technician finds a problem during a tune-up, repairs are separate from routine maintenance. You'll get a detailed, written estimate that outlines parts, labor, and any optional upgrades before work begins.
• A one-time visit vs. a plan. The Essential Plan is $15 per month and the Elite Plan is $20 per month, plus taxes. Both include two HVAC preventive maintenance visits per year, along with discounts on diagnostic fees and repairs.
• Add-ons. Plumbing, electrical, humidifier, and indoor air quality add-ons are $5 per month each. Some may not be available in your area.

Ready to see what fits your home? Compare Pro Service Plan options. If a tune-up turns up a bigger repair, flexible HVAC financing options can help you pay over time.

Should You Repair or Replace Your Furnace?

A tune-up is also a good time to ask whether your furnace has more good years ahead. As a general guideline, furnaces are typically recommended for replacement every eight to 10 years. That timeline can vary with usage, climate, maintenance history, and installation quality, so treat it as guidance rather than a fixed rule.

Repairs may make sense when:

• Your furnace is under eight years old
• The repair is minor or relatively inexpensive
• The system hasn't needed frequent repairs
• Heating performance is still consistent

Replacement may be the better choice when:

• Your furnace is past the eight- to 10-year range
• Repairs are needed more often each year
• Major components like the heat exchanger fail
• Energy bills keep rising
• The system struggles to maintain consistent temperatures

Our guide to the true cost of waiting explains how to weigh both options, and you can review furnace replacement costs and options when you're ready to plan ahead.

Maintenance That Keeps You Warm and Cozy

Safeguard your home’s HVAC system and help improve your comfort all year-round with an ARS/Rescue Rooter Pro Service Plan. You can rest assured knowing that our work is covered by our Exceptional Service Guarantee. Call 866-399-2885 to reach your local ARS/Rescue Rooter branch or schedule service online to get started today.

*Monthly amounts must be paid by credit / debit card or automatic bank withdrawal. Florida customers' Pro Service Plan term and warranty on repair parts and labor shall not exceed 364 days. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. **Some restrictions apply. See service center for details. Customer is responsible for any additional service work provided outside the scope of the Pro Service Plan. The condition of the heating, air conditioning, or plumbing systems will be reported at the time of maintenance service, but does not imply any warranties to their performance in the future. Customer may receive notice of schedule for Pro Service Plan maintenance services by means of automated phone dialing systems. Service under this Pro Service Plan shall continue until terminated by either party upon thirty (30) days prior written notice, provided the Company may discontinue service at any time in the event of non-payment by customer.