What Actually Happens During an HVAC Maintenance Visit

A lot of homeowners book a “tune-up” without really knowing what they’re paying for. Fair enough. From the outside it looks like a technician shows up, opens a panel, and leaves an hour later. So here’s what a proper maintenance visit covers, and why each part is there.

The heating side

On a gas furnace we start with safety. We look at the heat exchanger for cracks or rust, check that the venting is sealed and sloped correctly, and confirm the flame looks right. A lazy, yellow flame usually means a dirty burner or an air supply problem.

• Flame sensor: a thin layer of oxide on the sensor is the most common reason a furnace lights and then shuts off a few seconds later. Cleaning it takes two minutes.
• Gas pressure: we measure manifold pressure against the rating plate. Too low and the furnace runs cold and condenses inside; too high and it overheats.
• Temperature rise: the difference between return air and supply air tells us if airflow is right for that furnace.
• Condensate drain and trap on high-efficiency furnaces. A plugged trap is behind a lot of the error codes we see in the first cold week.

The cooling side

For an AC or heat pump we wash the outdoor coil, check refrigerant pressures and superheat or subcooling, test the capacitor (they weaken long before they fail), and tighten electrical connections. A dirty coil alone can make a system run noticeably longer on hot days.

Things you can do between visits

Change the filter. A standard 1-inch filter usually needs replacing every one to three months; a 4- or 5-inch media filter can go six months or more. Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and snow, and don’t close more than a couple of supply registers, because it raises static pressure and makes the blower work harder.

How often should you book it?

Once a year for each system is the sensible minimum: heating in the fall, cooling in the spring. If you have pets, a home under renovation, or an older furnace, twice a year is worth it.

If your system is showing a code or blinking light before the visit, our homeowner help pages explain what the common ones mean. When you’re ready to book, get in touch with us or call 647-657-2977. Aurora Star Tech Inc. is a licensed and insured HVAC company based in Vaughan, serving the Greater Toronto Area.

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