Want to spend less on furnace repair costs? What you do — or don’t do! — now can make a huge difference in your future repair bills.
For instance, sticking with an annual or bi-annual inspection and maintenance check can drastically reduce the need for future repairs. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners don’t call an HVAC technician until something is wrong. Your furnace may sound warning bells for weeks or even months before it breaks. Regular inspections can catch problems before they get out of control.
Another means of saving money is to shop around if and when you need a repair or replacement. Check reviews, testimonials, and the Better Business Bureau when considering an HVAC technician. Ask for recommendations, and see how long your local furnace repair expert has been in business. If they just opened their doors last week, do you really want to be their guinea pig?
Get Proof
Depending on the state you live in, a furnace repair technician may need different licenses and/or certifications. You also want to make sure they’re insured in case of an accident. Without workers’ compensation insurance, for example, you may be held liable if a furnace repair tech is injured on your property.
It’s not enough to just ask about certifications. Get copies for your records. Hopefully you’ll never need to use them, but these can be lifesavers in case of an accident, lawsuit or other debacle.
Consider Upgrading
No furnace lasts a lifetime, even with fantastic maintenance — the average life span is 15-25 years. However, you may want to replace and upgrade your furnace even if you can still squeeze a few more years out of it. A model that’s 20 years old simply isn’t going to be as energy-efficient as a newer one.
You may even get a tax credit for choosing certain Energy Star appliances, so check with your CPA before upgrading to maximize your savings.
Cost Savings All Around
Lowering your furnace repair bill is just part of the equation. You also want to lower your utility/heating bills whenever possible. Again, this has a lot to do with the efficiency of your furnace itself, but you can help. For starters, make sure to close off any rooms that aren’t being used (like guest rooms). Optimizing the insulation in your home, adding film to windows or putting towels down to stop drafts can make a huge difference. Smart home technology like Nest can learn your heating habits and make auto adjustments to save on energy consumption.
Make 2015 the year you lighten your carbon footprint and reduce energy consumption for good. Contact Complete Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule your appointment for furnace repair, installation or a routine maintenance check.
