Utah’s next cold winter is not far off. Is your furnace in any shape to handle it? Or are you concerned it will give up on the first night of real cold? Perhaps you would like to see some reduction in your heating costs come the temperature drop.

Homeowners in the Wasatch Front put their trust in Alta Air LLC to have a heating system that can be relied upon all season. We have been in this area since 2003 and understand what a Utah winter puts on a furnace. To talk with our people, pick up the phone at (385) 317-4056.

There is no better time than fall to have your system looked at. Some forethought now spares you from an unseasonable chill or a costly repair down the road. The following are tune-up tips we think every homeowner ought to be familiar with before the winter sets in.

The Case for Fall Maintenance

Up until now your furnace has been idle. Dust has had a chance to accumulate and parts wear down; minor things are easily missed till one puts the heat on. All too often a homeowner will put off thinking about it until the furnace is no longer working, leaving them to make an emergency call on the coldest day of the year.

A tune-up in the fall allows you to put an end to such issues. In these parts where the seasons can be hard on the thermometer, you can not afford to have a furnace that is anything but dependable.

Things You Can Put Your Hands On

Before the heating season is upon you there are tasks to be done, and most of them will not take more than a few minutes:

• A new air filter is in order, then check it once a month over the winter
• Put the boxes and furniture out of the way around the furnace
• Verify that the supply and return vents are free of obstructions
• Put the thermostat on heat to see if the furnace does its job
• See to the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors
• When the unit is running, put an ear to it for any rattling, squealing or banging

They are simple measures, yet they do not amount to a proper inspection by a pro who can get to the areas you should not be in.

Our Technicians Will Do More

We do not just look at one piece of the system when we are out at your home. An in-depth tune-up is for the safety and efficiency of the furnace over the course of the winter. Expect us to:

• Look for cracks in the heat exchanger that may be a source of carbon monoxide
• Clean and inspect the burners so ignition is as it should be
• Go over the electricals and make sure nothing is loose
• Put the blower motor and airflow to the test
• Calibrate the thermostat
• See if the flue or venting is damaged or blocked
• Put lubricant on moving pieces to stave off wear

It is much less of an expense to find a part that has seen its days than to put in a new system after it has failed. Plus you will use less energy and your bills will reflect it.

Some Red Flags

Your furnace will let you know if there is a problem even in between tune-ups. Be on the lookout for:

• A burner flame that is yellow rather than a consistent blue
• The furnace cycling on and off with undue frequency
• Bills that are up for no reason
• Unusual odors or noise with the heat on
• Thermostat settings that do not seem to warm the room

Do not put it off if you see any of the above. A diagnostic will prevent small matters from becoming a headache.

Put a Plan in Place

To avoid any trouble with the furnace, a maintenance plan is hard to beat. We have plans that see to it your system is serviced at regular intervals so there is no last minute rush in the fall to recall when it was last done. It is also good for the long term value of your equipment.

Should you need a repair we stand behind what we do. Our service work comes with a labor warranty and qualifying equipment we install and maintain is covered for life. As a Day and Night dealer we are licensed and insured and BBB Accredited. We can assist with rebates on an upgrade and financing is an option.

Make a call to Alta Air LLC at (385) 317-4056 and get your tune-up in the books. We are here 24/7 in Salt Lake City, North Salt Lake, Bountiful, Layton, Ogden and the rest of the Wasatch Front so you can face the winter without worry.