Regular Maintenance Extends The Lifespan Of Condensing Furnaces

Contractors should ensure homeowners are scheduling regular maintenance visits


The first condensing furnaces were introduced in the mid-1980s, and it’s likely that most of those original systems have been completely replaced.
Inspect all gas pipe and connections designed for leaks; "The inshot burners should be checked for the same deterioration."

FURNACE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
To keep both condensing and noncondensing furnaces operating at peak efficiency, Lennox Industries Inc.
Inspect the furnace return air duct connection to ensure the duct is usually sealed to the furnace.
Perform a complete combustion analysis through the furnace inspection to ensure proper combustion and operation. structurally audio; without holes, blockage, or leakage, and be sure the exhaust pipe is usually sloped toward the furnace.

Hall stressed that contractors should not upgrade motors or settings or alter any part of a mature condensing furnace so that they can optimize its performance or efficiency. Finally, contractors should verify/adjust gas pressures in the particular application based on the manufacturer’s instructions and perform combustion analysis to confirm that the furnace is normally operating properly and gets the proper combustion surroundings volume. Take away the rubber hoses from the cool end header container, and inspect for just about any blockage - clean as required.
If the furnace is equipped with a condensate drain and trap, inspect for leaks and cracks.

"As a unit ages or is not maintained, some lack of efficiency is expected," stated Dwayne Hall, product services coordinator of residential heating, Lennox Industries Inc. improved inshot burner designs;

"Components should be tested to ensure they're a safe alternative and offer equal or better performance," he said. In addition, while a replacement component may be a more efficient alternative, as an electronically commutated electric motor (ECM) versus a long term split capacitor (PSC) electric motor, existing controls may not be compatible with the new components.

For those home owners who are finally seeking to replace their 20-plus-year-old condensing furnaces, they might be in for a surprise as today’s models offer higher efficiencies as well as many more features than their predecessors. "Contractors should also look for visible signs of drinking water leakage at hose connections, internal vent connections, and any steel surface area below these connections. settings to reduce igniter failures;

Indeed, cleanliness, along with proper combustion, will keep a condensing furnace working at peak efficiency for a long period. The drain and trap must also be cleaned, and the trap should be primed with drinking water. If strainers are set up in the hoses, remember to remove and clean before reinstalling the hoses; "Preferably, a furnace design incorporates elements that optimize performance resulting in a safe, dependable, and affordable product for the client. modular gas valves;

Even if a condensing furnace is still operable, if it’s over 15 yrs . old, homeowners may choose to consider changing it with a new, energy-efficient model, which can save money and provide better comfort. "Most of the furnace could be cleaned;"

Furthermore, during regular maintenance, contractors should verify that all hoses are protected and fully-seated and inspect for worn or cracked condensate hoses, said Vinsant.
Evaluate the warmth exchanger integrity by inspecting the heat exchanger per the Air-Conditioning, Heating system & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) heat exchanger inspection procedure; Fresh air grilles and louvers (on the unit and in the room where the furnace is installed) must be properly sized, opened up, and unobstructed;

"If you can find low NOx rods, contractors should get them to intact, structurally sound, and free of corrosion and corrosion," he said.

To make sure proper combustion, contractors need to ensure that the vent and combustion pipes are unrestricted, well supported, and leak free of charge, said Remley. clogged air flow filters; and
Verify operation of CO detectors and substitute batteries, as required.
Ensure sufficient combustion air is open to the furnace.

"Additionally, there are many factors that could cause a condensing furnace to stop working, such as a plugged condensate management system, plugged pressure switch hoses, an obstruction in the intake or exhaust system, heat exchanger restrictions, and incorrect gas pressure," he added. "Energy calculators might help customers compare the cost savings of different high-performance systems and determine whether to repair or replace a mature unit. and better motors, said Remley.
Check the condition of the belt and shaft bearings if applicable; "The end result is that today’s condensing furnaces lower working costs for property owners while delivering true comfort and ease solutions in both the heating and cooling time of year. and an unclean blower engine and wheel, to name several, said Hall.
On induced draft furnaces, inspect the combustion atmosphere inducer and clean; nevertheless, bringing a high temperature exchanger back again to an operable condition is not possible if sooting has happened.
Check the health of the furnace cabinet insulation and repair; Consult product literature for proper combustion values; two-stage operation; "The secondary heating system coil, engine cooling inlet openings, blower steering wheel vanes, the cooling coil, air conditioning filter, and ductwork program all need to be free of dirt and dirt to ensure proper airflow across the warmth exchangers of a condensing furnace," said John Remley, product manager of residential furnaces and packaged products, Nortek Global HVAC."

But also condensing furnaces which are properly maintained will probably lose efficiency as time passes and eventually stop working.

Modern condensing furnaces present other innovative features as well, including stainless steel heat exchangers; intake and exhaust pipe recirculation; Sooting may be the end of a high temperature exchanger’s life because it is constructed so that it can't be completely cleaned and brought back to a satisfactory operating condition.

"Not only have the efficiencies improved, but the item warranties have improved as well, which delivers a greater level of consumer and dealer self-confidence," said Jill Murphy, senior product marketing manager, residential heating, Lennox Industries Inc. New handles, better motors, and better heat exchanger designs are simply a few of the features that today come standard of all condensing furnaces. Check for air leaks on source and come back ducts, and seal where necessary;"

While most homeowners do not relish paying for a fresh furnace, they will be pleased to see how very much the technology has changed through the years. Needless to say, there may be a few left around, especially if their home owners took good treatment of them, frequently replacing their filters and getting the units maintained properly. Inspect the rubber hoses connected to the pressure switches for cracks or loose connections, and change as necessary.
Check the cleanliness of blower assembly, and clean the casing, blower wheel, and blower motor if necessary;
Check the condition and cleanliness of burners and heating exchanger, and clean if necessary;

"By replacing a mature furnace that is 60-percent efficient with one that is 98-percent efficient, property owners can save approximately 40 percent on energy expenses or more to $11,469 over the life of the system," said Murphy.

"Be sure to search for any type of corrosion or corrosion that may have accumulated in the burners because of a condensate leak that may possess gone undetected at some point during the life of the furnace," this individual said.

Factors that can reduce the efficiency of a furnace include incorrect incoming and manifold gas pressure;
Check the cleanliness of filter systems and change in the event that necessary;"

Burners may also have to be cleaned as wasps, spiders, and other pests will sometimes build nests inside the vestibule of the furnace flu during the summertime, noted Vinsant. a filthy heat exchanger;

"The furnace was designed, manufactured, and certified per industry standards for safety and proper operation.

"There is only so much a contractor can do to bring an older condensing furnace back again to life," said Remley."

Vinsant agreed, noting a replacement part that is not approved by the product manufacturer may void any remaining warranty. Inspect terminations to make sure they are free of obstructions and so are structurally sound; Co. "In the springtime, it’s important to obtain the A/C coil cleaned, just because a filthy coil make a difference the operation of the furnace, such as for example heat rise and optimum outlet air.
On condensing furnaces, inspect the furnace intake and exhaust pipes to make sure they are in place;

REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Condensing furnaces can provide higher efficiencies and better comfort and ease, but they additionally require more care than non-condensing furnaces. offers contractors these maintenance guidelines:

Examine furnace wiring for loose connections, voltage in the indoor device, and amperage of the indoor engine;"

In addition to raised efficiencies, the most recent condensing furnaces offer new technologies, such as improved diagnostic systems with LED fault codes, which allow for quicker servicing for the contractor and home owner, said Vinsant. Which is why contractors should make certain their clients are scheduling maintenance on their furnaces every fall and spring, said Brian Vinsant, product support specialist, residential heating equipment, Rheem Mfg.

"The higher tier furnaces have even smart home automation abilities, such as Rheem’s EcoNet® control center, that allows the unit to ‘talk’ and troubleshoot using Wi-Fi-connected features like alerts and notifications," he said."

TIME TO REPLACE
If property owners have neglected the maintenance on the condensing furnace for too long, they may just need to consider replacing it.