Whether it's a plumber, carpenter, or HVAC technician, it can be extremely difficult to find a reliable and conscientious service company. It's even a greater concern when something crucial such as your furnace or heat pump goes down in the winter time and you are at the mercy of whomever shows up. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising. Ask friends and neighbors which companies are good and the first words heard will be, "Well, don't use ..." By process of elimination the unreliable companies will be weeded out and the ones left standing are a good source from which to start.
Now the focus can turn to the two major systems that homeowners depend upon day in and day out with little thought to them, water heaters and furnaces or heat pumps. Everyday people turn the handle to the hot water or flick the on switch for the heat and it just works. Like magic hot water and hot air comes pouring from some unseen source of goodness until it breaks. Then worry and frustration set in. The key is to be proactive in your search for a responsible company before you are up against the wall. If the homeowner already possesses the knowledge and skill to maintain this equipment this is a moot point, however for the large majority of homeowners, servicing these expensive pieces of equipment themselves is not an option.
As much use as compressors and furnaces get throughout the year, it is a wonder that they don't break more often. Having the home's furnace or HVAC components inspected once per year will always pay off in the end. Most of the time any potential problems can be determined and prevented by a simple and inexpensive service call. Every HVAC technician will recommend that furnace and return filters be changed regularly. Some will even be able to set up an automatic service call schedule so the customer doesn't need to trouble themselves. Duct work should be checked and cleaned as well. Duct cleaning is also a regular service that is highly under utilized and dirty duct work contributes to poor air quality in the home. The average homeowner can change the air filters, but duct cleaning requires specialized equipment that is expensive and therefore more advantageous to let a professional handle the task.
Water heaters are probably the more frequently serviced or damaged appliance in the home. Water heaters are either powered by electric or gas. Either one can be service by a plumber or HVAC technician. The hardness of the water will dictate how often the water heater should be flushed out and anode rods replaced. Only a physical inspection of these components can determine the next course of action. If a homeowner is unfamiliar with these units, a service call to a professional is best. The large majority of technician will be more than happy to answer all of the questions and even show the homeowner things that they can do in order to minimize future service calls.
Again the key to a worry free home is to maintain each component within in order to minimize expense and down time later. It is this rule that most individuals don't heed that causes undue stress and unrealistic expectations of the "hero" technician. A little time taken now will save a lot of time later and their time is your money. Save it now.
Now the focus can turn to the two major systems that homeowners depend upon day in and day out with little thought to them, water heaters and furnaces or heat pumps. Everyday people turn the handle to the hot water or flick the on switch for the heat and it just works. Like magic hot water and hot air comes pouring from some unseen source of goodness until it breaks. Then worry and frustration set in. The key is to be proactive in your search for a responsible company before you are up against the wall. If the homeowner already possesses the knowledge and skill to maintain this equipment this is a moot point, however for the large majority of homeowners, servicing these expensive pieces of equipment themselves is not an option.
As much use as compressors and furnaces get throughout the year, it is a wonder that they don't break more often. Having the home's furnace or HVAC components inspected once per year will always pay off in the end. Most of the time any potential problems can be determined and prevented by a simple and inexpensive service call. Every HVAC technician will recommend that furnace and return filters be changed regularly. Some will even be able to set up an automatic service call schedule so the customer doesn't need to trouble themselves. Duct work should be checked and cleaned as well. Duct cleaning is also a regular service that is highly under utilized and dirty duct work contributes to poor air quality in the home. The average homeowner can change the air filters, but duct cleaning requires specialized equipment that is expensive and therefore more advantageous to let a professional handle the task.
Water heaters are probably the more frequently serviced or damaged appliance in the home. Water heaters are either powered by electric or gas. Either one can be service by a plumber or HVAC technician. The hardness of the water will dictate how often the water heater should be flushed out and anode rods replaced. Only a physical inspection of these components can determine the next course of action. If a homeowner is unfamiliar with these units, a service call to a professional is best. The large majority of technician will be more than happy to answer all of the questions and even show the homeowner things that they can do in order to minimize future service calls.
Again the key to a worry free home is to maintain each component within in order to minimize expense and down time later. It is this rule that most individuals don't heed that causes undue stress and unrealistic expectations of the "hero" technician. A little time taken now will save a lot of time later and their time is your money. Save it now.
For more information and guidance about energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs in your home or to request a free estimate, visit Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling of Lewisberry, PA. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog. |
No comments:
Post a Comment