Seasonal HVAC Tune-Ups in Erie

With active building on several sides of town, fine dust is part of daily life in Erie, and steady wind carries it into outdoor coils and return grilles. The spring visit includes a complete inside-out coil cleaning and a check of the indoor coil and drain pan. We also look at the filter slot: gaps around a filter let dust bypass it and coat the blower wheel and evaporator, which is harder to clean than replacing a filter.

If you live near open land or active construction, plan on checking the filter monthly from spring through fall.

At about 5,070 feet, gas furnaces should be derated roughly 20 percent. We measure gas pressure against the manufacturer's chart, inspect the burners and flame, test carbon monoxide at the flue and in the home, and confirm the CO alarms near bedrooms work. On condensing furnaces we clear the condensate trap, check the drain, and walk outside to make sure the intake and exhaust pipes are clear of nests and are not where snow drifts pile up.

Most homes here are two stories on one system. A spring tune-up measures the temperature drop across the coil and checks refrigerant charge, because a slightly undercharged or dirty system shows up first as a warm upstairs. If the system checks out and the upstairs is still hot, we will show you what the airflow readings suggest about the ductwork.

Owners of new homes should confirm that the furnace and AC were registered with the manufacturer. Lennox requires registration within 60 days of closing on new construction for extended coverage, and Trane equipment not registered within 60 days falls back to its base warranty, typically five years instead of ten. A first-year tune-up records model and serial numbers and checks installation details such as drain pitch and condenser pad level while the builder warranty still applies.

Book heating service in September, ahead of the early-October first freeze typical of Denver-area records, and cooling service in April or May. See our HVAC tune-up checklist for Colorado homes.