When to Call a HVAC (Heating and Air Conditioning) Company for Help

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Even if you are very experienced in fixing things around your home, there might come a time when your heater or air conditioner runs into a problem and you will need to call a professional. Your heater or air conditioner breaking is not only an inconvenience but might also be dangerous. Whether your system is running into issues due to age or possibly another problem, you should know when you need to call a professional HVAC service provider, the steps you can take yourself before calling them, and preventative measures you can take to keep your units running smoothly for years to come.

What You can do Yourself?

The first step you can take if you think you may have an issue with your heater or air conditioning is to check your thermostat. Check to see if your unit is set to cool or heat and that the air coming out coincides. You can also confirm if your air filter has been replaced recently enough. This can make a huge difference in how your unit functions.

If you have an outdoor unit, it is important to check after storms, or just on an often basis that there are no sticks, leaves or other debris blocking the airflow to your machine. You can also check your batteries for the system. Your thermostat, carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and more can all be checked.

All these occurrences are simple fixes but do have the potential to make your unit stop working correctly. Cleaning your AC unit is another way to execute some preventive heating and cooling maintenance on your own.

What You Should not do Yourself?

DIY is becoming more and more popular. With YouTube being as popular as it is and sites completely dedicated to DIY projects, people want to take on more tasks on their own than ever. In the world of HVAC, this can have dire consequences.

You should stay away from attempting to repair your system if you are going to work with the electrical system. These units and systems have much higher levels of voltage and can really hurt you if you don’t know what you are doing or have the proper safety equipment.

Heating and cooling systems also use a lot of chemicals we are completely unfamiliar with. The handling of these chemicals alone requires a specific certification. HVAC repairs also require special tools. Is it realistic to go out and buy all of the necessary tools when there is potential you are going to have to call a technician anyway? Another reason to stay away from DIY repairs is small problems can turn into much larger issues without the proper knowledge. Making an attempt to fix something you do not know how to fix is dangerous in many ways.

Preventative Measures

Even if you are not having problems with your heating or cooling unit, taking preventative measures each year with a professional can help you to extend the life of your heating or air conditioning unit. Professionals are aware of how to check vital parts of your units such as electrical connections, coolant levels, or moving mechanical parts. These are aspects that you may not think to check on, or even know how to work on.

They can also spot things that might become issues, saving you money in the future. Take preventative measures and call an air conditioning or heating professional each year. Some providers even offer maintenance plans where they will come out regularly to service and maintain your unit. This is an excellent way to prevent larger problems from arising with your heating and cooling system.

When to Ask for Help

If your heater or air conditioner will not turn on, then you need to call a professional. Especially if there is air coming out that does not correlate with the thermostat, or it is making weird noises, this means you need the help of a professional.

Another major sign of an air conditioning unit not working properly is the smell of sour milk. This

means that there is some type of mold in your unit. Turn your unit off immediately and have a professional come to service your unit as this could be dangerous for you and whoever lives in your home, even your pets!

When calling your heat and cooling professional, you should explain the issues you are experiencing, and they should come well equipped to fix your problem. Taking the time to fully explain the problem ahead of time can eliminate multiple trips and keep the timeline of the project as tight as possible. It is important to get that heating and cooling working quickly, after all!

Questions to Ask Your HVAC Technician

A lot of people are confused by questions they feel they should ask and do not want to come off as ignorant in the process. The truth is, your HVAC technician has the knowledge and skills so you don’t have to. Here are a few questions to ask your heating and air conditioning professional when they come out to look at your project:

  • What is the agreement process if I elect to go with your services?
  • Will all work be done on-site?
  • Do you offer an HVAC maintenance plan?
  • Will you outline all paperwork and project requirements before we get started?
  • Does your contract include solutions for disputes?
  • What types of certifications do you have?
  • When the work is complete, will you leave all of the manuals, documents, and procedures related to the unit?
  • Will I have an easy way to look at the products I have? (serial numbers, model numbers, warranties, etc.)
  • Does your contract include start and end dates?
  • What happens if the project goes longer than expected?

Always be sure to review contracts, proposals, and scope of work write-ups for accuracy and pertinent information. You should be protected just as well as the provider. As long as you run through most of these questions, you should be good to go.

Diving into heating and cooling repairs as a business owner or homeowner is daunting. Aligning yourself with the proper professionals in the field will have your project executed with accuracy and safety.

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