The cooler air of winter has arrived in Houston, TX, and your heating system provides relief from the chilly outdoor air. Most of the time, heating systems operate efficiently and effectively, especially if you keep up with annual heater tune-ups and monthly air filter changes. However, your heating system may need an occasional repair. After a certified technician performs a repair on your home’s heating system, be sure to ask these seven key questions.
1. Where Did This Problem Originate?
Knowing where your heating system’s problem originated helps you learn about your heating system. If you don’t know the terminology, ask the technician to show you what they did. Our technicians welcome your questions and will walk you through each step of the work on every repair we perform.
2. What Caused This Problem?
Experienced HVAC technicians not only find the problem with your heating system, but they also figure out what caused it. Knowing what caused the issue allows you to take actions to prevent it from happening again. If a loss of lubricant caused the blower motor to overheat, you’ll know that scheduling an annual heating system tune-up will prevent a recurrence of the issue.
3. Is This Problem Likely to Happen Again?
Ask your HVAC technician if the problem with your heating system is likely to happen again. While most manufacturers produce heating equipment that is reliable, some models are known to have certain types of issues. The technician will know if your make and model of heating system is prone to certain issues, such as bad contactors or belts that crack after a year or two of use.
4. Is There Anything I Could Have Done to Prevent This Problem?
Many heating system issues can be prevented with routine tune-ups, cleaning, and basic maintenance. Ask the technician if you could have done anything to prevent this problem or if there’s anything you can do to stop it from recurring. For example, running your furnace with a dirty filter could cause the heat exchanger or blower motor to overheat. Checking the filter once a month and replacing it every three months or more frequently could prevent motor failure in your furnace.
5. Is This Repair a Short-Term or Long-Term Solution for This Issue?
If you’re having an aging heating system repaired, you might want to know whether this is a short-term fix to get your heater through the next month or two or whether it’s a long-term solution that will resolve this particular problem. A short-term solution is a good idea if you just want to make it through the end of the heating season and start planning a system replacement during the spring or summertime. A long-term repair is the best option for a heating system that still has many years of its average life expectancy.
6. What Should I Do Next?
A broken heater disrupts your comfort and affects your home’s safety and your well-being. Ask your technician what you should do next in order to prevent additional problems with your heating system. For example, you may have skipped a recent heating system tune-up because your schedule was full, or perhaps you didn’t know the system needs an annual maintenance visit. Keeping up with routine heater maintenance and scheduling a professional tune-up once each year allows for the early identification of worn-out parts and heater components that are about to fail.
7. How Much Longer Will My Heating System Last?
A typical electric or gas furnace has a lifespan of around 20 years. The average heat pump lasts for about 10 years. If your heating system is close to its life expectancy, it may need frequent repairs. Parts wear out or break after many years of use. It’s important to ask how much longer your heating system is likely to last and whether or not a repair or a system replacement is the best economic choice.
Not in need of a heating system repair today? We’ve also got you covered with AC repairs. Our heating and cooling maintenance, replacement, and installation services ensure year-round comfort. Breathe easier with our indoor air quality services. If you’re a Houston-area business owner, you can also count on us for prompt and affordable commercial HVAC services. For more tips on what to ask the service technician after a heating repair, contact us at [company_name] any time.