Repair-Guy

3 Bad Habits Leading to Heating Repair

For most of us living in Sacramento, we spend the majority of our HVAC concerns focused on our central air conditioning units, and given the fact that we have some of the hottest summers in California it makes perfect sense why we would!

But did you know that there are some common mistakes many homeowners unknowingly make when it comes to their heaters, mistakes that could end up costing you hundreds of dollars in repair fees that could have been avoided? Since it is so easy for us Sacramento residents to overlook the needs of our heating systems as a result of relying so much upon our A/C units throughout the year, it’s important to remind ourselves of the things we need to do (and things to avoid) in order to keep our heating systems in top shape for the season ahead!

Professional Sacramento heating and air conditioning companies advise homeowners to do the following three things if they wish to avoid the common problems that require heating repair experts to fix once they develop:

  1. Having the temperature set your thermostat too high for too long

While the thermostat in your home is technically capable of being cranked up to 90° F, it’s never a good idea to have your thermostat on it’s highest setting because it will not be able to withstand such a demand for very long. In addition to the intense strain put on your heating system by cranking up the heat during the winter, doing so will also be very expensive, possibly even more so than it costs to have the A/C on full blast during the summer months. So to avoid unnecessary strain and potential mechanical failure, aim to keep your thermostat no higher than 70° F when you are awake, and a few degrees cooler at night when you are asleep.

  1. Failing to clean and change out the air filters

Failing to have the air filters cleaned out for HVAC units that use forced air (like a furnace or a heat pump), often results in bug problems during months of high-use. The air filter is responsible for trapping and keeping out dirt, dust, and other debris, so if the filter becomes over saturated with trapped particles, it can cause serious damage to the inner workings of the heater. Moreover, if the air filter in your heating system is not cleaned out at least every couple of months, the efficiency of the unit will start to decrease, resulting in a higher bill for less heat output.

  1. Forgetting or avoiding the necessary preventative maintenance because you think it will be too expensive

There are few things that can cause a heating system more problems than avoiding maintenance altogether. Just as your car needs regular tune-ups and oil changes to keep it functioning at maximum efficiency, so too does your heating and air system need regular attention from a certified HVAC specialist in order to keep all components in working order.

One of the best reasons to schedule regular maintenance with a professional heating and cooling company is to catch small problems before they evolve into something in need of a big repair, as a minor issue with your unit right now could end up making your winter much colder and more expensive than you originally planned! It’s best to stick to an annual preventative maintenance schedule, and to try and have your unit inspected in the fall before the cooler weather kicks in- remember that annual maintenance is the best way to prevent the need for repairs to your heater in the future!

Now that you know how important regular maintenance is for your heating system and the comfort of your family during the winter season, don’t hesitate to call the HVAC experts at All Year to schedule your next heater inspection!