Montana typically endures over half a year of winter. In Bozeman, residents embrace this lifestyle. Yet no homeowner wants unforeseen heating repairs due to system failures in the frigid months. When the icy weather hits, you can go from sipping hot cocoa in your warm, cozy kitchen to being covered in blankets, desperately searching for heating repair services. If your HVAC system starts acting up and needs an expert’s eye, we’re here to help. If you should ever need heating repair services, you can easily schedule an appointment with us. However, before Montana’s long winter hits, there are a few preventative steps you can do to ensure you stay on top of any heating repairs that might pop up. Here are five repairs you should consider doing this fall to get your HVAC winter-ready.
Prepare for Winter: 5 Heating Repairs to Stay on Top of this Fall
1. Thermostat Malfunctions
The first and simplest step you can take to stay on top of heating repairs is to check your thermostat. Begin by turning your thermostat on. Once you do so, you can see if your furnace turns on and starts warming your home as it should. Otherwise, wait a few moments. If nothing happens, it could mean a few problems. Your thermostat not turning on might indicate that the thermostat itself may need replacing. It could also mean that the batteries in the thermostat have gone bad or a fuse in your breaker is causing power issues. If so, be sure to call us. Our licensed HVAC contractors receive extensive training and certifications, so they are trained to solve heating repairs that might not be obvious to most homeowners.
2. Old Air Filters
A second action you can take is to inspect the air filters in your system. Furnaces and heat pumps have filters, but boilers do not. The purpose of an air filter is to improve the air circulating in your home. Their main job is to remove pollutants and keep your HVAC system running smoothly. If they are not changed regularly, they can get clogged up and cause your system to work harder and less efficiently. Over time, not changing your filters can cost you money in energy savings and even damage your system’s compressor. So, be sure to change your filters consistently. We recommend changing your filters every one to three months. It is best to change 1″ filters every month and 4″ filters every three months. Keep a log and set a helpful reminder for yourself.
3. HVAC Leaks & Other Damage
Next, you should visually inspect your heating system by checking for anything out of the ordinary. Inspect your air ducts for any moisture accumulation. Excessive moisture and condensation can mean that your air ducts are leaking and that they need to be sealed. Or, if you see any pools of fluid around the base of your furnace, that could signal a malfunction within the system or even bad piping. Also, when looking closely, try to spot any cracks in the system. If you discover cracks, it could mean that your system’s constant heating and cooling has caused metal fatigue on the unit. When this happens, you might smell an unusual odor. It can mean that your heat exchanger needs repairing or replacing.
4. Repairing vs. Replacing Your HVAC System
At Mountain Heating and Cooling, we offer both heating repairs to our customers. However, this fall, if your heating system is having problems and you simply do not know if it requires a few repairs or an entire replacement, ask yourself these questions:
- Is your warranty still current? If so, any repairs you may have might be covered. In this instance, repairing your system to keep it running at its best is what is likely needed.
- Has your system needed constant maintenance within the last year? If it has, this might indicate more serious problems are occurring with the unit. Replacing your system with an updated HVAC can save you money in the long run, and there are rebates available to most homeowners where you can get up to a 30% tax credit.
- Is your system over 10 years old? Older systems requiring more maintenance can mean the system is struggling to work properly and needs to be replaced. Newer systems can improve energy efficiency and save you money because they run much more effectively.
These and other questions have been compiled by our friends at Trane to help you better understand if your heating system just needs repairs or replacement.
5.) Regular Maintenance
Finally, but most importantly, the last step you can take this fall is to have your heating system regularly maintained. According to the Department of Energy, “Heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in your home.” Since that is the case, why would you ever neglect such an essential part of your home? Neglected heating systems cause homeowners costly repairs and excessive heating bills. Well-maintained heating systems operate properly and efficiently, have a longer lifespan, and save homeowners money on their utility bills over time.
Plus, we make it easy for our customers to get the maintenance they need without worrying about hassle or expense. We offer preferred membership agreements in Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. These memberships can include reminder services, points inspections, pre-season scheduling, and repair warranties. We have also partnered with Wells Fargo to offer financing options for our customers, so you can repair your furnace today and pay over time. This convenient financing offers you a monthly payment that fits your budget.
Schedule an Appointment Today & Stay on Top of Heating Repairs!
The fall months will go quickly, and winter will be here in no time. Before the cold days of winter arrive, be sure to take these preventative steps and address these heating repairs to ensure your HVAC system runs smoothly—not just this winter, but for a lifetime. We have a “Call us today, we’ll be there today” guarantee, so reach out and schedule an appointment. Our professional technicians are ready to answer your questions and help keep your HVAC operating at its best. We are here to help!