Depending on who you ask, some weather experts say Hoosier State will have a colder, snowier winter from 2023 to 2024. Others predict it will be warmer than average.
Regardless of who’ll be correct, it’s best to prepare your heating system to lower its risks of breaking down. After all, the last thing you want when the temperatures in Columbia City, IN, dip drastically is to have no heating.
So, if you haven’t had a heating tune-up yet, now’s the best time to schedule one. We’ve compiled a few tips to help you get started, so read on.
1. Verify Credentials and Certifications
Certification and insurance are two of the first things to look for in a Columbia City, IN, HVAC company. Certified HVAC technicians have undergone stringent training and testing that prove their qualifications. Insurance protects them while they work and also safeguards customers from liabilities.
So, when you contact HVAC companies in Columbia City, ask them for proof of certification and insurance. Reputable ones will happily and readily give these documents for your peace of mind.
One type of credential to look for is NATE Certification. HVAC techs who hold this have completed knowledge and experience-based tests. They also undergo follow-up training and testing every two years to maintain certification.
Knowing you’re dealing with a highly trained and skilled HVAC technician should give you peace of mind.
2. Check for Available Service Discounts
Not all HVAC companies do, but some offer discounted heating tune-ups in Columbia City. If you look in the right place, you may get a $30 discount on a heating service! Like all promo deals, though, these have “expiration dates,” so be sure to use them before they expire.
3. Look for Heating Maintenance Plan Specials
When you buy a maintenance plan, you’ll get guaranteed tune-up schedules for your HVAC system. Typically, it involves two visits from an experienced HVAC technician within a year. One is in spring for your air conditioner and another in fall for your heater.
So, it won’t matter if you forget to schedule your heating system for a tune-up, as your contractor won’t. Expect them to contact you to verify the date and time of your service appointment.
While you must pay for maintenance plans in advance, you could sometimes get them at a discounted rate. So, check if your prospects offer this, as it can make your heating maintenance costs even more affordable.
4. Confirm What the Plan Includes
Whether you can get a discounted rate or not, check the services included in the maintenance plan. At the very least, it should consist of the following steps:
- Properly calibrate the thermostat
- Inspect and clean the system and remove dirt and debris
- Lubricate all moving parts as needed
- Inspect and secure electrical connections
- Clean or replace the air filter
As the technician inspects your system, they’ll make notes of any signs of problems they encounter. They’ll then make expert recommendations based on their findings.
Expert Recommendations
Say the technician noticed issues with your thermostat as they calibrated it. They’ve fixed the problem but may recommend replacing it soon, especially if it’s over a decade old.
If your old thermostat is analog, the tech will advise you to get a programmable or smart thermostat. With one of these, you may find it easier to save up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills!
Another example is if the technician detected signs of a cracked heat exchanger. They can do this with combustion analyzers, carbon monoxide detectors, and infrared cameras. Depending on the crack’s severity, the tech may recommend replacing just the heat exchanger or the entire furnace.
Ensuring the heat exchanger works is crucial, as this vital part heats the air. Heat transfer wouldn’t be possible without it.
In a gas furnace, a heat exchanger keeps combustion gases inside the system. So, if not for this metal component, those gases can leak into your home.
An example of a gas you never want to leak into your home is carbon monoxide (CO). It’s invisible, tasteless, and odorless. However, it’s poisonous; in the U.S. alone, over 40,000 cases of CO poisoning occur yearly.
Same-Day Repair Service
Reliable HVAC service providers have technicians who drive fully-equipped service vans. This gives the experts quick access to parts and tools needed for repair jobs.
Suppose that during your maintenance service, the tech finds a problem that can quickly worsen. An example is a faulty furnace ignitor, which can cause your pilot light to keep going out.
In that case, the tech will inform you immediately and get your permission to fix it. Thanks to their fully-equipped vans, they can often finish complex jobs on the same day.
5. Have the Technician Teach You a Few Tricks
If you work with a dependable company, their techs will happily teach you tricks to keep your HVAC system in top condition between tune-ups.
An example is cleaning or replacing your heating system’s filter. You can ask the technician to teach you how to locate, access, clean, or replace it.
Yes, your maintenance plan does include cleaning or replacing the filter. However, you may need to do this a few times between visits. You may have to change it once every month if you:
- Have furry family members
- Use a gas stove or oven or a wood fireplace a lot
- Live near a busy street or a construction site
It may not be practical (or cost-effective) to keep hiring an HVAC technician for a simple filter change/wash. Besides, it’s the easiest HVAC maintenance step, provided you learn it straight from a pro.
Invest in a Heating Tune-up Plan Today
Remember: Certification, insurance, and discounts are vital considerations when looking for a heating tune-up service in Columbia City, IN.
That’s only some of what you can expect when you hire us here at Pro Comfort Heating & Cooling, LLC. We’re proud of our fully insured, NATE-certified HVAC technicians. We’re also a trusted HomeAdvisor Elite Service provider with a BBB Rating of A+.
So, contact us today for all your HVAC needs! We look forward to tuning up and improving the efficiency of your HVAC system.
