Seasonal HVAC Tune-Ups in Aurora

Capacitors and contactors are the usual reasons an outdoor unit quits on the first 90-degree day, which in Denver-area records averages around June 10. We test capacitor values against their ratings, look for pitted contactor points, tighten connections, and check the disconnect. A weak capacitor caught in April costs far less trouble than one that fails during a heat wave.

The roughly 1,700 Hoffman Heights homes built from 1950 to 1953 now have replacement furnaces in small utility spaces. In tight closets we pay close attention to combustion air, vent connections, and clearances to anything stored nearby. We test for carbon monoxide, check the flame and heat exchanger area, and confirm the house has working CO alarms near the bedrooms.

At about 5,470 feet, Aurora furnaces should be derated roughly 22 percent from their sea-level rating. We compare gas pressure with the manufacturer's high-altitude table, because an over-fired furnace runs hot and wears out heat exchangers early.

Homes built after 2000 mostly have condensing furnaces with plastic venting and a condensate trap. The fall tune-up includes clearing that trap and drain, checking the intake and exhaust terminations outside for nests or snow drift paths, and reading stored fault codes. If your home is new, ask whether the equipment was registered: Lennox, for example, requires registration within 60 days of closing on new construction for its extended coverage. We can help you confirm what is on file.

Book the furnace visit in September or early October, before the average first freeze around October 7, and the AC visit in April or May. See our Colorado tune-up checklist for the full list of items covered.

Two things help between visits. Change the filter on a schedule that fits your house, more often if construction is going on nearby, and after a hailstorm, walk out and look at the condenser before you run it hard. If the top fan guard is dented or the fan blade wobbles, turn the unit off at the thermostat and call. Running a damaged fan can ruin the motor or the compressor in a hurry, and that turns a simple fix into an expensive one.