Fall Furnace/Boiler Clean and Check

Wow, Can you believe it?  Cold weather is just around the corner which means it is time for those fall heating system clean and checks.  Whether it is a home furnace/boiler or a commercial rooftop unit/Boiler there are minimum things you should have your maintenance service company do.  I will provide a brief outline below-please note this is not complete or exact by any stretch-It is meant to be an outline/minimum in the applicable situation.

1.) visually inspect the heat exchanger/burner chamber. 
2.) Pull and clean burners, vacuum in, under and around equipment.
3.) Inspect the flue/vent pipe.
4.) Inspect and lubricate the draft inducer fan, the blower/supply fan, circulating pump.
5.) Check and clean fan wheels as necessary,
6.) Check pump coupling and mounts along with alignment.
7.) Clean and check the pilot ignition system.
8.) Perform combustion analysis and CO test.
9.) Inspect filter and Change as required.
10.) Check all safeties for proper operation./Clean all boiler water safeties and site glass.
11.) Check Thermostat-controls/Boiler water reset controls.
12.) Note any deficiencies and discuss with owner. 
13.) Provide detailed service report noting all readings etc for owner signature.

This preseason work is very important.  Not only for personal safety but also for operational efficiency.  I have seen equipment that was so dirty that it could have never provided sufficient heat.  At one site we found 20 units out of 21 inspected that posed severe Carbon Monoxide poisoning opportunities had they not been inspected.
The first operational inspection of each season is the most important.  While it may not eliminate the need for service during the season-no heat calls, needing to change filters again etc. It will improve the equipments efficiency, reduce your utility bills and keep your home more comfortable.
Remember-The 19.99 blue light special does not get the job done-I even would venture that 100% of the time technicians from these companies "FIND" problems.  Now there is no way to check this out because any one who is performing this "blue light special" service is stealing from their customers, so why would they be honest.
Keep warm and stay safe.

Not Again!

Well just watched another commercial from one of our local large hvac contractors.  They spewed about the 19.95 clean and check not being the way to go.  That the companies get in and either do not do the job right or find a very expensive repair/your unit needs replaced!  This was good so far-then they concluded the commercial with "We will match any competitors price!"??  What?  You just lost on this one guys.  Now you have made yourself a commodity/A BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL.  You are no better than anyone else-It is about the dollar. Not that you can improve the operation of the system. Fix some duct leaks-maybe move more air to a room that is always the warmest in the summer and the coldest in the winter. 
You have done nothing to deserve this business-even more so you have done nothing for the customer to improve their indoor environment.  You have missed the opportunity to distinguish yourself from the low price leader.
One of the things you want to do is be different, be a better value-resolve problems beyond just installing new(industry buzz word) Green=Environmentally friendly=Energy Saving equipment.  What is the use of putting a new engine in a car if the frame is rotted out?  That is what you are doing-A Dis Service to the customer/Your Customer!  Better yet maybe a Brain Transplant on someone who has been dead for a week. 
People, If you hear those words-"We will match their price!"  Run far and fast.  You will not be getting what you deserve and many times what you need. 
Be careful when selecting a service company to perform any work for you.  There are a lot of good ones out there but an equal number of bad ones.