Seasonal HVAC Tune-Ups in Longmont

Gas input should be derated roughly 20 percent at Longmont's elevation. On every fall visit we check manifold pressure against the manufacturer's chart, inspect the flame and burners, clean the flame sensor, and test the limit and rollout switches. We also confirm working CO alarms near bedrooms.

With summer highs around 90 degrees and a record of 106, Longmont air conditioners run hard. Cottonwoods along the St. Vrain and Left Hand creeks drop fluff in late spring that mats on condenser coils. The spring tune-up cleans the coil from the inside out, then measures refrigerant pressures and temperatures, tests the capacitor and contactor, and checks the condenser fan motor. We also check the indoor coil and drain.

Longmont gets about 32 inches of snow a year, and drifting snow can bury the sidewall intake and exhaust pipes of a condensing furnace. When those pipes are blocked, the furnace shuts down on a pressure switch fault. In the fall we confirm the terminations are high enough above typical snow levels and clear of shrubs, and we show you where they are so you can check them after a storm. If you have a heat pump, we also make sure the outdoor unit sits high enough for defrost water to drain and freeze clear of the coil.

Newer homes, including those in Prospect, usually have condensing furnaces whose condensate traps and drains need cleaning, and two-story layouts where the upstairs depends on good airflow. We check temperature split, static pressure, and zoning dampers if you have them. If the equipment is under five years old, confirm it was registered with the manufacturer; Trane, for example, offers its longer warranty only when registered within 60 days.

Electricity comes from Longmont Power & Communications, the city-owned utility, and gas from Xcel Energy. LPC customers can check Efficiency Works for current HVAC programs before planning upgrades. Book furnace service in September, ahead of the early-October freeze typical of Denver-area records, and AC service by May. See our full tune-up checklist.