What a real furnace tune-up actually includes — and how to spot a shop that's just running an upsell.
Why Tune-Ups Matter
Annual heating tune-ups are required by nearly every furnace manufacturer to keep parts warranties valid. They also catch the slow-developing issues — a weakening capacitor, a hairline crack in a heat exchanger, a clogged condensate trap — that turn into a $2,000 emergency call at 9pm on a Saturday in January.
The 21-Point Checklist
1) Filter inspection and replacement. 2) Blower wheel cleaning. 3) Combustion analysis. 4) Heat exchanger inspection (camera). 5) Burner cleaning. 6) Flame sensor cleaning. 7) Ignitor amp draw. 8) Gas pressure check (inlet and manifold). 9) Capacitor microfarad test. 10) Inducer motor amp draw. 11) Limit switch test. 12) Rollout switch test. 13) Pressure switch tubing inspection. 14) Condensate drain flush. 15) Thermostat calibration. 16) Static pressure measurement. 17) Temperature rise across the heat exchanger. 18) Carbon monoxide measurement at supply registers. 19) Venting inspection. 20) Cabinet seal check. 21) Written report of findings.
Red Flags From Cut-Rate Tune-Ups
If the visit is under 45 minutes, no combustion analyzer was used, no CO measurement was taken, and you got a verbal-only report — you got a sales call, not a tune-up. EcoLux delivers the full 21-point checklist for $39 flat.
