Seasonal HVAC Tune-Ups in Welby

Furnaces and air conditioners from the late 1990s are well past typical service life. The fall visit inspects the heat exchanger closely, cleans the flame sensor, tests the igniter, inducer and blower motor, and checks the control board for scorched connections. The spring visit tests capacitors and contactors and checks refrigerant readings. If the AC runs on R-22, we look for oil at fittings and corrosion on the coil. The report tells you which parts are nearing failure so a replacement can be planned instead of rushed.

Traffic and commercial yards around Welby load filters and blower wheels faster than usual. We check the filter, clean the blower wheel when it is packed, and wash the outdoor coil each spring. A blower wheel caked with dust can lose a large share of its airflow, which makes the furnace run hot in winter and the coil freeze in summer, so it is one of the most useful things we clean. Check your filter monthly, and keep plants and stored items at least two feet from the condenser. During wildfire smoke, EPA suggests MERV 13 filtration if your system can handle it; we measure static pressure first.

Closet furnaces and air handlers in condos are tight to service, and filter slots are often awkward, so filters get skipped. We check the filter, the condensate drain and pump, and the vent termination, and we confirm the drain is clear, since an overflow can leak into the unit below.

If the condenser sits on a shared pad or a roof, we confirm access with the HOA before the spring visit and note in the report which unit is yours, which saves confusion when one of them eventually needs replacing.

Dry winters mean many Welby furnaces have a humidifier. In fall we replace the pad and check the valve and drain. We also confirm the thermostat is set up correctly for your equipment and check fan speeds for heating and cooling, which are often wrong after a thermostat swap.

On properties where a garage, shop or greenhouse heater shares the gas line, we can look at those appliances too when you ask, checking the flame, the vent and the gas connector.

When a Welby home with gas appliances or an attached garage is sold or has permitted appliance work, Colorado requires CO alarms within 15 feet of the bedroom doors, and the CPSC recommends a yearly inspection of fuel-burning appliances. Book furnace visits in September and cooling visits in April or May. No permit is needed for maintenance; an equipment replacement is permitted by Adams County. Our tune-up checklist lists each step.