Furnace Maintenance & Tune-Up in Northern Virginia & Maryland

Get your furnace checked and cleaned before the first cold night. An AVS technician inspects the safety parts, cleans what affects performance and runs a full heating test, so small problems are found before they turn into a no-heat call. We do furnace tune-ups in Fairfax and across Northern Virginia and Maryland.

Book a furnace tune-up: call 703-457-9028 (Virginia) or 301-686-7129 (Maryland).

What’s Included in an AVS Furnace Tune-Up

Every tune-up follows the same checklist. The exact checks depend on your furnace type, model and fuel, but this is what our technicians work through on a typical gas furnace.

Safety checks

• Inspection of the furnace for cracks, rust and wear that could lead to a carbon monoxide leak
• Gas line and gas valve checked for leaks
• Safety mechanisms tested to make sure they shut the furnace off when they should
• Combustion openings tested for proper airflow, and the flue checked and cleaned
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detector test

Cleaning

• Burners inspected and cleaned of soot, which causes hard starts and lost efficiency
• Air filter checked and cleaned or replaced
• Ducts and vents checked for leaks and dirt that restrict airflow
• Drain lines inspected and cleaned if required

Electrical and controls

• Voltage and current drawn by the furnace components checked
• Fan belt tension checked and adjusted
• Furnace panels checked to make sure they are secure
• Thermostat checked for accuracy, then system controls tested through a full heating cycle

At the end, the technician tells you what was checked, what was found and whether anything needs repair.

Is a Furnace Tune-Up Worth It?

For most homes, yes. A yearly tune-up won’t make an old furnace new, but it does three useful things.

1. Safety. Cracks, gas leaks, blocked flues and failing safety switches are found in the fall, not in the middle of a cold night.
2. Fewer breakdowns. Dirty burners, clogged filters and loose parts cause many of the no-heat calls we get in winter. A tune-up deals with all three.
3. Lower heating bills. A clean, correctly adjusted furnace uses less energy to heat the same home.

How Often Should a Furnace Be Tuned Up?

Once a year, before the heating season. In Northern Virginia and Maryland, September to November is the best time, before the first cold snap fills every HVAC company’s schedule. Homes with pets or heavy use may need a visit twice a year. A heat pump heats and cools, so it usually gets a spring and a fall visit. See heat pump maintenance.

Signs Your Furnace Needs Attention Now

Don’t wait for the yearly visit if you notice any of these.

• Rooms that won’t warm up, or hot and cold spots
• The furnace turns on and off often (short cycling)
• Rattling, clicking, banging or whistling noises
• A burning-plastic or exhaust smell. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside.
• A yellow or orange burner flame instead of a steady blue one
• Heating bills higher than last winter with no change in use

Already have no heat? Go straight to furnace repair. We offer 24/7 emergency service.

One-Time Tune-Up or VIP Maintenance Plan?

A one-time tune-up covers one furnace visit before winter. If you want your system looked after all year, the AVS VIP maintenance plan includes:

• Two maintenance and safety inspections a year, about six months apart
• Priority service
• Up to 25% discount on repairs
• Multi-year and multi-unit discounts

Call us for current tune-up and plan prices.

Why Homeowners Book Their Tune-Up With AVS

We have been servicing furnaces in Northern Virginia and Maryland since 1991.

• Family owned, 30+ years in the Washington, D.C. metro area
• 4.8★ on Google
• Licensed: VA HVAC #2705039269A · MD HVAC #520714137895 · MHIC #4192876
• All major furnace brands, residential and commercial
• 24/7 emergency service if something fails later in the winter
• Financing available if the tune-up shows the furnace needs replacing

Other Heating Systems We Service

Not a furnace? We maintain other heating systems too.

• Heat pump: heat pump maintenance
• Boiler: boiler repair and maintenance
• Gas fireplace: gas fireplace service

Furnace Tune-Up FAQ

Quick answers to the questions we hear most.

How much does a furnace tune-up cost?
Call 703-457-9028 (VA) or 301-686-7129 (MD) for the current price. If the technician finds a problem, ask for the repair price before any repair is done.

What is included in a furnace tune-up?
Safety checks (cracks, gas leaks, safety switches, flue and airflow), cleaning of the burners, filter and drain lines, electrical checks, and a thermostat and full heating-cycle test. The full list is above.

Is it worth getting a furnace tune-up?
For most homes, yes. It costs far less than a mid-winter breakdown, and it’s the best chance to catch safety problems before you run the furnace every day.

How often should a furnace be tuned up?
Once a year, before the heating season. Twice a year for heavy use or homes with pets.

Do you tune up all furnace brands?
Yes. We service all major brands of gas, oil and electric furnaces.

Do you cover Maryland?
Yes. We serve 75+ cities across Northern Virginia and Maryland. Maryland customers can call 301-686-7129.
Why does a furnace need regular maintenance?
Dirt and debris build up inside a furnace over time. That lowers efficiency, wears out parts and clogs the air filter. A maintenance visit also includes an inspection for cracks that could leak carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot see or smell.

Do I need maintenance if my furnace is working fine?
Yes. Regular maintenance finds small problems early, before they turn into a breakdown or a costly repair.

What can I check myself between visits?
Change the air filter regularly, watch your energy bills for sudden jumps, and look around the furnace for signs of water leaks.

What are the benefits of a maintenance plan?
You don’t have to keep track of the schedule yourself. See the VIP HVAC Maintenance Plan for what is included.

Book Your Furnace Tune-Up

Beat the first cold snap. Call 703-457-9028 (Virginia) or 301-686-7129 (Maryland) to book your furnace tune-up.