Dealing with a heating system malfunction or breakdown is no fun, but it’s something most homeowners have to experience at one time or another. When you do have to get your heat pump or furnace professionally repaired, there are ways to turn the ordeal into a positive situation. You can do this by learning as much as possible about what went wrong with your heater and taking advantage of the great resource that is your heating technician. Your goals should always be avoiding the need for further repairs and gaining a full understanding of your household’s heating situation. Here are a few questions you should ask.
1. What Caused This Malfunction?
Knowing why a heating problem occurred is the most important step toward avoiding the same problem in the future. You’ll want to ask your heating technician if whatever caused this issue could occur again and whether there’s anything you can do to prevent it. It’s possible that scheduling maintenance more regularly could have helped to avoid this issue, but it’s also possible that it was just a common problem provoked by regular wear and tear. You might find out that you’re putting too much strain on your heater or you’re neglecting certain upkeep steps. If that’s the case, corrective behavior could save you money and aggravation in the future.
2. Is This a Long-Term Solution?
Heating repairs tend to vary a lot from one situation to the next. Sometimes, an otherwise healthy heater will need one component repaired or replaced. At other times, a repair may be a temporary fix only meant to last until you can afford replacing the part or even the entire system. When you get a professional repair conducted, make sure you understand what the nature of the job is. It’s possible you’ll need to schedule a follow-up visit in the near future, and in some cases, your heating system may be nearing the end of its productive lifespan.
3. How Much Longer Will the Equipment Last?
On average, heating systems tend to last for roughly 10 to 15 years, and one that’s maintained and cared for consistently may last a few years longer than that. However, it’s difficult to estimate exactly how long it will be before your furnace or heat pump becomes worn out. There are a lot of variables that determine how many healthy years you’ll get, and a technician who has just finished working on the appliance should have a pretty good idea. They’ll likely only be able to give you a rough estimate, but that may help you start preparing financially if it’s necessary to do so. Otherwise, they may tell you that your system has many good years left, and that should give you some peace of mind about the overall situation.
4. What Steps Should Be Taken Going Forward?
In certain cases, a heating repair may require certain follow-up measures to keep the remedy in place. You may need to go a bit easier on the appliance, or the technician may instruct you to clean the unit or replace the air filter more regularly. Since the goal will be to keep the heating system as healthy as possible in the future, you’ll want to find out any useful information that the technician has to offer.
5. When Should the Appliance Be Serviced Next?
After a repair job, you’ll want to check with your service technician to find out whether or not a follow-up visit in the near future will be necessary. Sometimes, the heating professional will want to come out again in a month or two to check on the status of the repair or replacement. In other cases, they may instruct you to get a tune-up a few months down the road to ensure that everything is still running smoothly. It’s also possible that the repair will be a one-time fix, and you can resume your normal heater upkeep routine.
Our team of professionals at Medcalf Heating & Cooling has been proudly serving the greater Terre Haute, IN, area with quality heating and cooling services since we were founded in 2015. In addition to our reliable heating and cooling installations, maintenance and repairs, we provide outstanding indoor air quality and water heater services as well. We’re a family-owned and -operated business, and we offer best-in-class customer service. We take pride in our strong moral values and want to make your home or business more comfortable and healthier. For more information on all we offer, call us at Medcalf Heating & Cooling today.
