A cracked heat exchanger can leak combustion gases into the living space. We inspect the heat exchanger with a bright light and an inspection camera on every furnace tune-up we complete in Hocking Township, OH. Dust, moisture, and repeated heating cycles cause metal fatigue that starts as hairline fractures. These fractures grow and allow carbon monoxide to enter the supply air. Our camera reaches the rear cells that a flashlight cannot show. We record images when we find damage so you can see the condition yourself. This inspection is the first action we take because safety comes before efficiency adjustments.
After the visual check we run a combustion analysis. The analyzer probe sits in the flue pipe and measures oxygen, carbon monoxide, and stack temperature while the furnace fires at high fire. We compare the numbers to the data plate on the unit. High carbon monoxide or low oxygen means the burners need cleaning or the gas pressure needs adjustment. We use a manometer to set manifold pressure to the exact inches of water column the manufacturer lists. Correct pressure produces a steady blue flame and keeps the heat exchanger from overheating. Homes and businesses in Hocking Township, OH rely on this precision through long winter stretches when the furnace may run twelve hours a day.
Heat Exchanger Integrity and Combustion Testing
Gas furnaces in this area are often twenty years old or older. The original heat exchanger metal thins over time. We tap the cells lightly and listen for a dull sound that indicates thinning. We also watch the flame pattern through the view port. A dancing or yellow flame signals incomplete combustion that can deposit soot and raise flue temperatures. Soot insulates the heat exchanger and forces the unit to run longer to satisfy the thermostat. Longer run times increase wear on the inducer motor and the blower. We remove the burner assembly when soot is present and brush the ports until they are clear. We then reassemble and retest combustion to confirm the readings fall inside the approved range.
High-efficiency condensing furnaces add a second heat exchanger made of stainless steel or aluminum. Condensate forms inside this exchanger and must drain freely. We flush the condensate trap and the drain line with water and vinegar to dissolve mineral scale. A blocked trap causes the pressure switch to open and shut the furnace down. We also check the flue pipe slope and the intake pipe for bird nests or ice that can form in Hocking Township winters. Restricted venting raises carbon monoxide and can crack the secondary exchanger. After cleaning we verify the condensate pump, if one is installed, cycles correctly and that the overflow switch works. These extra steps keep condensing units at their rated 90-plus AFUE instead of dropping into the mid-80s.
Electric furnaces receive a different set of tests. We measure voltage at each heating element and confirm the sequencers close in the correct order. A failed sequencer leaves one or more elements off and reduces output. We check the high-limit switch and the fusible links that protect against overheating. Element resistance must match the nameplate ohms. We replace any element that shows an open circuit or a short to ground. Because electric furnaces have no combustion, the focus stays on clean airflow and tight electrical connections that prevent arcing.
Mechanical and Electrical Component Service
The blower assembly moves the heated air through the duct system. We remove the blower housing and vacuum the squirrel-cage wheel. Dust packed between the blades unbalances the wheel and raises amp draw. High amps overheat the motor windings and trip the thermal overload. We measure running amps with a clamp meter and compare them to the motor nameplate. If the reading is more than ten percent above the rating we recommend bearing replacement or a new motor. Direct-drive motors get a few drops of oil in the oil ports when they are present. Belt-drive units receive a new belt if the old one is glazed or cracked, and we set tension to the manufacturer specification so the motor does not slip or overload.
Electrical connections loosen from vibration and heat cycles. We tighten every screw terminal on the control board, the gas valve, and the transformer. We inspect the ignitor or the standing pilot. Hot-surface ignitors become brittle and we replace them when the resistance is out of range. Flame sensors collect oxide and we polish them with a fine abrasive until the microamp signal returns to normal. A weak signal causes the control board to lock out after a few seconds of flame. We also test the pressure switch with a manometer to confirm it closes at the correct draft. All of these checks form the core of the furnace service we perform so the unit starts reliably on the first call from the thermostat.
Hubbs Heating & Air includes a capacitor test on every induced-draft motor and blower motor that uses one. A weak capacitor lets the motor hum but not start, or it causes the motor to run hot. We replace capacitors that fall more than ten percent below the stamped microfarad rating. Wiring insulation that is brittle or discolored gets noted and repaired. These electrical details prevent the most common no-heat calls we receive after the first cold snap.
- Power and gas isolation – We shut off the disconnect and the gas cock then verify zero voltage with a meter before any cover comes off.
- Combustion and heat-exchanger exam – Camera inspection and analyzer readings come next so we know the fire side is safe before we clean anything.
- Burner and orifice cleaning – Ports are brushed and orifices are checked for blockage that would change the flame shape.
- Blower and motor service – The wheel is cleaned, amps are measured, and lubrication is applied where the motor design allows it.
- Control and safety verification – Limits, roll-out switches, and the pressure switch are tested for correct open and close points.
- Final combustion and operation test – The furnace is fired through a complete cycle while we watch temperatures, draft, and gas pressure one last time.
Complete System Checks That Support Long-Term Furnace Performance
A furnace tune-up is not finished until the rest of the system is reviewed. We replace the air filter with the correct MERV rating and size so static pressure stays inside the design range. High static pressure from a dirty filter or closed registers makes the heat exchanger run hotter than intended and shortens its life. We measure temperature rise across the heat exchanger and compare it to the range printed on the data plate. Too high a rise means restricted airflow. Too low a rise means the burners are over-fired or the blower is moving too much air. Either condition wastes fuel and can crack the exchanger. We adjust blower speed taps or recommend duct repairs when the rise is outside limits.
The thermostat is calibrated against a known-accurate thermometer. A thermostat that reads two degrees high will keep the furnace off longer than needed and let the house cool below the set point. We check anticipator settings on older electromechanical stats and confirm Wi-Fi models still communicate. Ductwork near the furnace is inspected for disconnected joints or crushed flexible pipe that dumps heat into the basement or crawl space. Sealing those leaks with mastic returns the lost heat to the living area and lowers run time. These extra steps turn a basic furnace maintenance visit into a complete system check.
We schedule furnace tune-ups in late summer and early fall so the work is done before the first hard freeze. Same-day service is available when a unit has already failed or when a homeowner waits until October. Our technicians carry common parts so most adjustments and small repairs happen on the first visit. Free estimates are given before any extra work begins. As a hometown company that is family-owned and women-owned, Hubbs Heating & Air keeps trucks stocked for Hocking Township, OH conditions. We provide comprehensive HVAC solutions, from installation and repair to maintenance and energy-efficient upgrades, ensuring your comfort and peace of mind. Our expert technicians are available 24/7 to deliver fast, reliable service. Whether it is heating, cooling, or ventilation, we guarantee quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. Choose us for efficient, hassle-free service that keeps your home or business running smoothly through every Ohio winter.
- Filter and airflow – Correct filter size and measured temperature rise confirm the furnace can deliver its full capacity without stress.
- Thermostat accuracy – A two-degree error wastes fuel and leaves rooms uncomfortable at the set point you chose.
- Duct leakage – Sealed joints near the furnace stop heated air from escaping into unconditioned space.
- Safety device function – Limits and switches that open at the right temperature prevent overheating and possible fire.
Get your furnace serviced with Hubbs Heating & Air
Regular furnace maintenance also protects the manufacturer warranty. Most warranties require documented annual service. We leave a dated checklist with the readings we recorded so you have proof the work was done. Skipping a year lets small problems grow into compressor or heat-exchanger failures that cost far more than a tune-up. The data we collect each visit also lets us track slow changes in combustion or amp draw so we can warn you before a part fails on the coldest night of the year. That tracking is part of the furnace service we have provided as a local company for years. Call when you are ready to schedule and we will put your furnace back into safe, efficient operation.