Cold nights are coming. If your heater has only run a few times, this is the moment to make sure it lights, heats, and protects your home the way it should. A safety & mechanical inspection now can prevent a cold house later, while trimming energy costs when the thermostat runs daily.
That’s exactly what the $49 heat inspection is designed to do. A licensed technician gives your system a targeted checkup and flags anything that could lead to a breakdown once the temperature drops for good. It’s light on cost, heavy on value, and easy to schedule by phone or email.
A November salute with real savings to our veterans
Dolan Design HVAC & Plumbing is honoring veterans, their spouses, and their widows or widowers with pricing that has meaning. For the month of November, you can receive $106 off any repair, or $500 off a new HVAC installation. The $106 figure marks the number of years since the original Armistice Day in 1918. It is a simple way to say thank you while lowering the cost of staying warm.
Who qualifies: Veterans, their spouses, and their widows or widowers. If you are calling to book, just mention the November veterans offer so the team can note it on your account.
How it applies:
- A repair visit that totals $350 in parts and labor would drop to $244 with the $106 savings.
- A full system replacement quoted at $7,800 (for instance) would drop to $7,300 with the installation savings.
If you also want the $49 inspection, schedule it first. If a repair is needed, the veterans savings can be applied to that same visit.
Why timing matters before the first deep freeze
Early winter places a sudden load on equipment that has been idle for months. Dust collects on burners, spiders build webs in venting, contactors stick, drain lines dry out. Systems still run, but they run rougher and draw more energy than they should. Minor faults that would have been quick fixes turn into no-heat calls when everything is running at peak stress.
There is another reason to move now. The first cold snap fills appointment calendars quickly. You can pick a day and time that suits your schedule this week. During the first icy stretch, you might be waiting behind emergency calls. A preventive visit beats a 9 p.m. service call every time.
What a professional heat inspection covers
A proper inspection checks performance, safety, and reliability. It also corrects small issues on the spot. That combination is what gives you a smoother season and steadier utility bills.
- Combustion and venting: Beam alignment on flame sensors, burner cleanliness, ignition timing, and a vent path free of obstructions keep fuel burning cleanly and the house free of exhaust.
- Heat exchanger: Visual and instrumental checks look for cracks, hotspots, or warping that could leak combustion gases into the air stream.
- Electrical and controls: Voltage, amperage, and connection tightness get verified, along with relay and limit operations. This prevents nuisance trips and short cycles.
- Airflow: Static pressure, blower speed, and filter condition are reviewed so ducts move the right volume of warm air to every room.
- Safety devices: High limits, rollout switches, pressure switches, and CO monitoring are tested so the system shuts itself down if anything moves out of range.
- Thermostat and calibration: Setpoints, offsets, and anticipator or cycle settings get checked.
Have a heat pump instead of a gas furnace? The focus shifts a bit, and the technician will validate defrost logic, reversing valve operation, refrigerant pressures, and outdoor coil condition while checking electrical components and airflow.
Safety and efficiency by the numbers
Small changes in fuel mix or airflow have outsized effects. A burner with a mild coating of dust can drop efficiency several points. A blower running too slow raises supply temperature, trips limits, and shortens heat exchanger life. Tightening a loose wire or cleaning a flame sensor can be the difference between a cozy evening and a dead furnace on a weekend.
While every home is different, most households see two payoffs:
- Lower run time per cycle, which cuts gas or electricity use.
- Fewer mid-season breakdowns from preventable faults.
The table below shows how the visit translates into practical outcomes. Any repair work requires authorization from the customer:
| Item checked or tuned | What the tech does | Why it matters | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burners and ignition | Clean, re-seat, verify ignition sequence | Stable flame, clean combustion, reliable starts | 10–15 min |
| Heat exchanger and venting | Inspect surfaces, check for cracks, confirm draft | Safety and proper removal of exhaust | 10–20 min |
| Blower and airflow | Measure static pressure, set speeds, confirm filter fit | Balanced heat to rooms, better efficiency | 10–15 min |
| Electrical and safeties | Tighten connections, test limits and switches | Prevent nuisance shutdowns and overheating | 10–15 min |
| Thermostat and cycle control | Validate settings, calibrate if needed | Steady temperature without short cycling | 5–10 min |
| Heat pump components (if applicable) | Check pressures, defrost logic, reversing valve | Strong heat output and quiet operation | 15–20 min |
Most homes fall in the 45 to 75 minute range for a standard inspection. If the tech finds something that needs attention beyond the tuneup, they will explain options and get approval before performing any additional work.
How the $49 special works
Think of this visit as a focused seasonal check. It makes sure your system is safe, tuned, and ready. It is not a sales visit. If everything looks good, you are done. If something needs attention, you will get clear options and pricing before any work starts.
Here is what to expect:
- You schedule by phone or email and pick a day and time window that fits.
- A licensed technician arrives with standard test gear and service parts.
- The inspection, test, and any authorized tune-ups are completed in a single visit.
- You get a summary of findings and recommendations, including any simple adjustments already performed.
- If repairs are needed, you choose to schedule them right away or at a later time.
This special rate covers the inspection. Parts and repair labor are separate only if something is broken or out of spec.
Quick prep you can do before the technician arrives
A little housekeeping helps your system pass the inspection with flying colors and keeps the visit short.
- Clear access to the furnace or air handler
- Replace an overdue filter
- Check that supply registers are open
- Move storage boxes away from the water heater and venting
- Keep pets in a separate room
Want to go a step further? Make sure the outdoor unit on a heat pump has 12 to 24 inches of clearance on all sides. Brush away leaves and seed pods. Good airflow outdoors keeps the defrost cycle short and quiet.
Common questions we hear
Will this void my manufacturer warranty or help protect it? Regular service is often a stated condition for many heat system warranties. Having a dated inspection record shows you cared for the system as the manufacturer expects. It can only help.
What if the system is running fine? Good systems still gain from a seasonal check. Think of it like a miles-per-gallon tune for your car. Clean burn, correct airflow, and tight electrical connections keep that “running fine” feeling going.
Is this inspection different for gas, electric, and heat pumps? Yes, the core approach is the same, but checks differ. Gas furnaces focus on combustion and venting. Electric air handlers focus on elements and sequencers. Heat pumps add refrigerant pressures and defrost logic. The technician adjusts the checklist to match your system.
Do I need to be home? It is best to have an adult present to provide access, approve any work beyond the tune, and review findings. If access is arranged and secure, some customers choose to step out during the visit. The team can call if decisions come up.
What if something fails the safety check? The tech will explain what was tested, why it failed, and the risk if left as is. You will get options. Urgent issues are flagged clearly so you can make an informed choice.
How often should I schedule this? Once a year, ideally before heavy use begins. If your home has pets, construction dust, or you run the fan often, consider a mid-season filter check or additional cleaning.
The value of preventive care
The lowest energy bill is the one you never spend because the system does not need to run as long. When a furnace or heat pump is clean and dialed in, it reaches the setpoint faster, shuts off sooner, and cycles less often. That extra efficiency stacks up every day the system runs. The other savings come from avoiding urgent calls. An igniter that is a little out of shape can be replaced during the inspection for far less than an emergency visit on a holiday morning.
There is also the matter of comfort that you feel. Even air movement room to room, quiet operation, and steady temperatures make a noticeable difference. Families with light sleepers often mention the house feels calm because the system avoids short, loud bursts.
What sets a pro inspection apart
Homeowners can and should change filters, keep registers open, and listen for new noises. A professional visit brings instruments and training to interpret what the system is telling you. A few examples:
- CO and draft test: Confirms exhaust leaves the house safely under various operating conditions.
- Static pressure reading: Measures how hard the blower is working against your duct system. High readings point to restrictions or duct improvements that can produce quick gains.
- Combustion analysis: Fine-tunes fuel-to-air mix for clean burn and top efficiency.
This is how a 45 minute visit can pay for itself in one heating season. The tech is not guessing. They are reading live data and adjusting to target numbers.
How to book your spot
Scheduling is simple. Call or email Dolan Design HVAC & Plumbing and ask for the $49 heat inspection. The office will offer open windows this week and next. If you are coordinating with work or school pickups, mention your constraints so the team can plan accordingly.
If you qualify for the November veterans savings, mention that during booking. The office will note whether you want to use the $106 off a repair, or reserve the $500 off for a new installation quote. If you would like both a tune and a replacement estimate, let the scheduler know and they will organize the visit to cover each step efficiently.
Weekday appointments go quickly once forecasts show colder nights. A quick message or call today keeps the timing in your favor and gets your home ready for the season.