Turned your furnace on for the first time this fall and noticed something’s not right? Maybe it rattled, gave off a strange smell, or blew cool air before it finally started warming up. Or maybe your furnace has been running for weeks, but it just can’t seem to keep the house comfortable anymore—it runs nonstop, and the heat never feels steady.
If that sounds familiar, it’s a sign your furnace needs some attention. At Honest Abe’s Heating and Cooling, we handle furnace maintenance all across Indianapolis and the surrounding counties: Marion, Hamilton, Madison, Hancock, Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks, and Boone. A tune-up clears out buildup, fixes small issues before they grow, and gets your system back to running the way it should.
Don’t wait for a breakdown on the coldest day of the year—schedule your furnace maintenance in Indianapolis with Honest Abe’s today.
You may think changing your air filter every few months is enough. It helps, but while furnaces can seem pretty low maintenance, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. Most of the tasks that keep them running—like cleaning burners, checking gas connections, testing safety controls, and adjusting electrical parts—require a professional.
There are many benefits of routine furnace maintenance, but here are some of the biggest:
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating accounts for nearly 29% of a home’s energy use. Even a small loss in efficiency can mean noticeably higher bills. During a tune-up, we clean burners and blower components, test airflow, and calibrate the thermostat so your furnace doesn’t waste energy. A well-maintained system can use 10–15% less energy, saving money every month through the heating season.
Industry studies show that up to 75% of emergency no-heat calls are linked to a lack of maintenance. Small issues like dirty flame sensors or worn belts don’t always stop a furnace right away, but they eventually lead to breakdowns if ignored. Regular tune-ups catch those problems early, meaning fewer stressful nights without heat and fewer expensive repair bills.
A furnace that’s maintained annually can last 15–20 years, while one that’s neglected often fails closer to 10–12. Lubricating motors, tightening electrical connections, and cleaning key parts reduce wear and tear. That extra 5–8 years of reliable use adds up to thousands of dollars saved by delaying replacement.
Furnaces burn fuel, which means safety checks matter. Cracked heat exchangers, gas leaks, and carbon monoxide buildup are serious risks. During a tune-up, we test for leaks, inspect venting, and verify safety controls so your furnace is safe to run all winter.
And one more thing—if you have Carrier equipment installed by us, yearly maintenance is required to keep your 10-year parts and labor warranty intact. It’s not just about keeping the heat on; it’s about protecting your comfort, safety, and investment.
A furnace has a lot going on under the hood—burners, motors, wiring, sensors, and safety devices all working together. If one part is dirty or worn, it drags the whole system down. That’s why our maintenance checklist is so thorough. We work on gas, electric, oil, and propane furnaces of every make and model, and every visit includes the following:
We start with safety. That means checking the heat exchanger for cracks, testing for gas leaks, inspecting the venting, and verifying carbon monoxide levels. A cracked heat exchanger or poor venting can push dangerous gases into your home, so this step is non-negotiable.
Dirty burners don’t burn fuel evenly, which wastes energy and produces soot. We clean burners, pilot assemblies, and flame sensors so ignition is consistent and combustion is clean. That makes your furnace more efficient and reduces the risk of failure mid-season.
Dust and buildup on blower wheels or inside the furnace cabinet restrict airflow. That forces the motor to work harder and can shorten its lifespan. We remove debris so air moves freely, which keeps heating even across your home.
Restricted airflow is one of the most common furnace problems. We check filters, duct connections, return vents, and registers to confirm your furnace isn’t being starved for air. This step alone helps prevent overheating and reduces strain on the blower motor.
If your thermostat isn’t accurate, your furnace cycles at the wrong times—either running too long or shutting off too soon. We test and calibrate the thermostat so it communicates correctly with your furnace, keeping temperatures consistent and avoiding wasted energy.
Loose connections, weak voltage, or failing controls are common causes of breakdowns. We measure amperage and voltage, tighten connections, and test control boards so your furnace starts reliably and runs without interruption.
Moving parts like fan motors and bearings need lubrication to avoid friction and noise. Belts are inspected for wear and alignment. Small adjustments here reduce operating noise, prevent mechanical failures, and extend equipment life.
We wrap up with a complete heating cycle. That includes checking ignition, measuring the temperature rise across the furnace, monitoring run time, and verifying airflow room-to-room. If we spot anything unusual, we make adjustments on the spot.
A complete tune-up usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. At the end, you’re left with a furnace that’s cleaner, safer, and ready to handle months of nonstop use without the same risk of breakdowns or high energy bills.
Ready to see the difference a professional tune-up makes? Schedule your furnace maintenance service with Honest Abe’s today.
It’s a common question: do you really need a tune-up every year, or can you stretch it to every other year? The truth is, furnaces should be maintained once a year, ideally in the fall before heavy use begins. That yearly service keeps parts clean, catches wear and tear early, and helps your system run more efficiently all winter long. Skipping even a season may not cause immediate failure, but over time it shortens the furnace’s lifespan and raises the risk of expensive breakdowns.
You can always call us for a one-time tune-up, but the best way to keep your furnace reliable is to put maintenance on autopilot. That’s what our plan is for—regular service, no last-minute scrambling, and extra perks that save you money along the way.
Here’s what you get when you join:
Our heating and cooling maintenance plan takes the stress out of furnace care. Your system stays strong, your warranty stays valid, and you know Honest Abe’s will be there whenever you need us.
“
I can not say enough good things about Honest Abe’s! I’ve had baseboard heat for over six years. When it came time to replace the baseboards with a furnace, I researched like crazy and got several different quotes. Honest Abe’s gave me the best price, came out in a timely manner, and had it all completed in no time. I thought this was going to be a huge pain in the neck project and it was far from that! My house is so warm and cozy! Honest Abe’s received a customer for life! Hands down the best HVAC company I’ve ever dealt with!
Inviting a company into your home takes trust, and we don’t take that lightly. If we’ve worked on your system before, you already know we show up on time, respect your home, and give honest guidance without the sales pitch. And if you’re new to Honest Abe’s, you’ll see right away why families across Marion County and the surrounding communities keep calling us back.
We’ve been maintaining furnaces since 2019, and we treat every visit as if we were caring for our own home. Don’t wait for the coldest day of winter to find out your system isn’t ready—schedule your furnace maintenance with Honest Abe’s today.
