Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Blog: Archive for December, 2016

What to Expect When You Need a Heater Repair

Monday, December 19th, 2016

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No matter what kind of system you use to warm your space, you can expect (as with any appliance or complex unit) that you’ll need a heater repair at some point. As the heater ages, it will demand some attention. There are signs that you can look for that will alert you that heater repair is necessary, such as making odd sounds, blowing cool air, an increase on your energy bill, and more. Once you take notice of these signs and call in the pros, here are a few things that you can expect when you go with a reliable heater repair company.

A Complete Inspection of the Heater

The different heating systems will require the technician to have the training to inspect furnaces that are gas and oil, split systems, heat pumps, forced air, and beyond. When you call for the heater repair, you’ll want to let them know what type of unit you have and what the issue is that you’ve noticed. They’ll do a full inspection from the heat exchanger to the unit’s safety controls.

A Reliable Diagnosis

Once the heater has been completely inspected, you’ll get a reliable diagnosis as to what the problem is and how the heater repair is going to take place. Knowing the steps that are going to be taken will give you the information to make a confident decision. Here, you’ll also learn more about the pricing and you can ask questions about the age of your unit and how you can expect your heater to perform as it ages. While each system will be unique because different households have different comfort level requirements, the experts will have a good idea of how your unit should be performing after the inspection and diagnosis.

A Thorough Heater Repair

After the diagnosis, it’s time to get a thorough heater repair so that you can get back to relaxing at home in a comfortable temperature of your choosing. You can either schedule this at your convenience, or in some cases it will be performed the same day as the diagnosis. If you need an emergency heater repair, the sense of urgency will be elevated and you’ll want to take care of the situation immediately. Heaters can be dangerous when they aren’t properly maintained because carbon monoxide can escape when there are cracks in the heater exchange and fires can occur when parts aren’t functioning they way they are meant to. Take care in getting heater repairs performed swiftly and with an experienced company.

A Reminder for Yearly Service

Once your heater repair is complete, you can expect to get a reminder for your yearly service to keep it working in the best condition possible. You should go ahead and mark this on your calendar so that you don’t skip a beat when it’s time to have your heater looked at. The more attention you pay to your heater, the quicker you’ll notice when it’s acting strange, and the faster you can get someone out there to repair it. That’s more money (and frustration) you’ll save in the long run.

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AC Repair Prevention Methods Beyond Maintaining Your Unit

Saturday, December 10th, 2016

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Most people know that to prevent an AC repair, you’ll need to have those yearly services from a professional to clean coils and perform other maintenance, as well as do your own part and change filters, clean debris, and pay attention to the daily sounds of your unit. However, there are a few other home improvements you can make to give your unit longevity so that it doesn’t have to work so hard when the weather is hot. Here are a few ways that you can prevent an AC repair beyond the routine maintenance that you already provide.

Check Your Windows for Drafts

If windows, doors, and other openings to your home have drafts or leaking air, then your air conditioning is going to be working extra to combat the temperatures. If you can’t or don’t want to invest in more energy efficient windows, then take the time to have the weak spots sealed so that air isn’t escaping. Not only will this prevent future AC repairs from happening prematurely, but it will lower your energy bill so you can enjoy the savings in more areas than one.

Use Ceiling Fans Wisely

Ceiling fans are an excellent way to help keep a room cool and give your AC unit a break from time to time. When you want to prevent air conditioning repairs, you won’t want your unit to have to be on 24/7 blowing air. It’s important that it gets a chance to rest when the weather gets a little cooler, and you can enjoy a day with the ceiling fans on and the unit off. Be mindful that you have the fan spinning the correct way for optimal use in the summer. And in the winter, many fans will have an adjustment to spin the blades in the opposite direction so that hot air is pushed down instead of up.

Add Extra Insulation

Make sure that your attic and walls are properly insulated because air can escape and enter through the walls. This is important to preventing an AC repair because your unit will be able to fill the room with the desired temperature of air and it will not exit through the walls, making your unit stay on more often than it should have to. There are some very easy ways to insulate your attic and walls such as blown-in foam, and your AC repair company will be an excellent resource when you want to learn more about insulating your home.

Look Into an Upgrade

If you’ve been trying to prevent an AC repair only to discover that they are coming quicker and with a higher price tag, then the best prevention may be to invest a new unit. An upgrade will give you the latest technology and provide you with the most energy efficiency, and you won’t have to worry about an AC repair anytime soon. Air conditioning units have a certain lifespan, and even when you keep yours in pristine condition, there will be a time for an upgrade. The longer you put it off, the more AC repairs you’ll need, and a new unit will stop the cycle so that you can enjoy the comfort of your home.

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