The typical homeowner probably doesn’t know a lot about their home’s HVAC system, and that’s fine. A heating and cooling system is the kind of thing that, when it’s running as it should, is mostly invisible. While it’s a good idea to know a little about how your home HVAC system works and when to service it, the most important thing is knowing when to call an Olathe heating and cooling professional to take a look. That’s why we’re bringing you nine common reasons you might want to call an HVAC service company today! Let’s get started!
1. Your HVAC system isn’t working properly. In the Midwest during the summer or winter months, your air conditioner or furnace is pretty much the only thing that is keeping your home livable. If your air conditioner goes out on a hot summer day in August or July, not only is it uncomfortable, it can be downright dangerous. In January or February, when temperatures drop below freezing, your pipes may burst if your home heating system isn’t up to snuff. Whether it’s the hottest or coldest day of the year—or any other time—if your home HVAC system stops working, you should call a heating and cooling professional immediately.
2. You’re paying big utility bills every month. If you’re seeing a spike in the cost of your electric bill or heating bill, you should probably give your local HVAC service company a call. The most likely explanation is that your home HVAC system isn’t working as efficiently as it should be, which may be an indicator of bigger problems down the road. Fortunately, a heating and cooling professional can diagnose the problem and tune up your furnace or air conditioner while they’re at it.
3. You’re buying a new home. Buying a home is one of the biggest expenditures you will ever make, and a lot of big-ticket items go along with it. Your home HVAC system is one of those, and you’ll want a professional to take a look at it before you sign the mortgage paperwork. In fact, we’ve put together a whole article covering some of the many things that you might want to check out (or have looked at by a pro) before you buy, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and more.
4. Your system is 15-20 years old. Most people never think about it, but it only makes sense that the components of your home HVAC system have a life expectancy, just like anything else. The typical furnace has an average lifespan of about 16 years, while air conditioners or heat pumps tend to last around 14 years. If you have a system that’s around that age, it’s probably going to start declining in performance. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it will just kick the bucket one day, but it does mean that you’ll be seeing higher bills, more inefficient heating and cooling, and other problems.
5. You’re not comfortable doing it yourself. Look, the simple fact of the matter is you probably haven’t been repairing and replacing HVAC systems for most of your professional career. We have. That means that you’re not going to be comfortable doing certain things with your home’s HVAC system, and you shouldn’t be comfortable doing some of them. Sure, you can change the furnace filters and that sort of thing, but when it comes to major electrical issues or other substantial problems, you should leave it to the pros to fix it in a safe, timely, and cost-effective manner.
6. Something is smelly or leaking. Your home HVAC system shouldn’t smell (okay, maybe a little when you first turn it on at the beginning of the season) and it definitely shouldn’t leak. If it’s doing either of those things, it’s time to call an HVAC service company. The problem could be mold or mildew in your ductwork, or it could be an electrical short of some kind, especially if you’re noticing a burning smell. Either of these can be potential health hazards for you and your family, so it’s best to get an Olathe heating and cooling professional to look at it as soon as possible.
7. You have some major renovations in mind. Renovations can cause problems for your home HVAC system if it isn’t properly protected, but that’s not all. If you’re adding square footage to your home or otherwise dramatically changing its layout, your HVAC system may need some adjustments to keep up. In fact, your HVAC system is designed to heat and cool the shape and size of your house as it is, and any major change to that may mean changes are needed to your HVAC system that you’re simply not qualified to diagnose or address. If you’re planning some serious remodels, call the pros and get their opinion.
8. The warranty on your furnace or air conditioner is about to expire. If you’re not sure when the warranty on your home’s air conditioner or furnace expires, there’s a good chance that it may have expired already. Even if it hasn’t, now’s a good time to check and see when it does. While the average furnace has a 16-year lifespan and the average air conditioner or heat pump lasts closer to 14 years, many manufacturers offer warranties that last 10 years or even less. If your warranty is about to expire, it’s a good time to have your HVAC system checked out, before you find yourself with a big repair bill and no warranty to cover it. What’s more, even if your warranty is still in good shape, most manufacturers require regular maintenance from a heating and cooling professional in order to keep the warranty in good standing. Either way, it’s a good time to call.
9. It’s time for your biannual HVAC system tune-up. In order to stay in good working order, your home HVAC system should be checked out and tuned up by a professional twice a year. The most popular times to do this are as the season changes from winter to spring and from summer to fall. Whenever you do it, if it’s been about six months since your system’s biannual maintenance, then it’s the perfect time to call an HVAC service company to give your home HVAC system the love and care that it needs.
Whatever your reason for calling the Olathe heating and cooling professionals at Davenport Service Company, there’s no better time to do it than right now. We’re here to help you with whatever your home HVAC system may need, from major repairs to seasonal tune-ups, so just give us a call at 913-441-2222 today!
