The Importance Of Maintaining Your Fuel Oil System
One of the most overlooked and neglected tasks that homeowners are guilty of is forgetting to schedule maintenance on their fuel oil heating systems. This seems to be an aspect of the heater's preventative care that homeowners often forget about until they are dealing with a hefty repair bill. In fact, most HVAC experts as well as companies that conduct oil deliveries to Allentown Pennsylvania will agree that the majority of repairs that they do are a result of improperly maintained heaters. Not only does maintenance prevent a slew of issues from happening to your heater but it also offers many advantages.
Reduced Energy Costs
When a heating system is properly maintained, it will run more efficiently throughout the cold season. The HVAC contractor ensures that your system is cleaned and lubricated. This allows your heater to run at full capacity which is how it makes it more energy efficient. This translates into reduce home heating costs. We all know how sometimes Allentown heating oil prices can put a dent in your wallet. Systems that are not maintained on an annual basis do not perform as efficiently and homeowners are paying far more than they should to keep their home at a desired temperature.
Increased Lifespan Of Your Equipment
An annual tune-up allows for the technician to make the adjustments necessary that will allow your heating system to last its expected lifespan, if not longer. A professional inspection means that deteriorating parts can be replaced to ensure that your system doesn't have to work as hard. Consequently, this prevents other parts from deteriorating from wear and tear.
Reduced Repair Costs
When you have an heating specialist go over your heater on an annual basis, they will fully inspect by using their trained eye to search for any current and potential issues. This gives you the opportunity to repair small issues before they escalate into bigger issues. As with most machinery, the bigger the issue, the more expensive the repair. Therefore, it is worth scheduling an annual tune-up on your fuel oil system to prevent higher repair costs.
Safe Operation
When your system is tuned up, it ensures that it is operating safely. This is important because it keeps your household, including your family, safe from a malfunctioning system. Although heating oil systems give indicators long before anyone's safety is compromised, it is still important to schedule professional maintenance to keep your family out of harm's way.
Signs You Need Your Heating System Repaired
One of the most important things is to know when you should call for heating repair. Waiting too long could permanently damage your system and cause bigger problems down the road. Some of the most telltale signs that you need home heating repair is strange noises, odors, or lack of consistent heating. If you think your system is experiencing any sort of problems call you local HVAC contractor today!
What to Expect From a Top Quality HVAC Contractor
So if your AC or heating system is on the fritz and you call for heating repair, what should you expect from your contractor? Well a good heating repairman starts every job with a comprehensive evaluation of your system. This allows them to find where the problem is and identify anything else that may be wrong with your system. After this, a good heating contractor should discuss your system’s issues with you and present you with repair and replacement options. And yes, we did say replacement too. Sometimes a problem within your system can cause irreversible damage.
You may be asking yourself, “how do I avoid having to get heating repair?” The only true answer to this is with annual maintenance. Even if your system is healthy and fully operational you should have regular maintenance performed on it to ensure it continues to operate at its max capacity. This will ensure that your system is not only operating at max capacity, but also that it will last much longer. The typical lifespan of an HVAC system is 10-12 years. The main cause of systems failing before this range is lack of care by the owner. While you may not want to pay the cost of annual maintenance, the amount you’ll save in monthly heating costs and from not having to purchase a new system will more than pay for the cost of the maintenance.
You may be asking yourself, “how do I avoid having to get heating repair?” The only true answer to this is with annual maintenance. Even if your system is healthy and fully operational you should have regular maintenance performed on it to ensure it continues to operate at its max capacity. This will ensure that your system is not only operating at max capacity, but also that it will last much longer. The typical lifespan of an HVAC system is 10-12 years. The main cause of systems failing before this range is lack of care by the owner. While you may not want to pay the cost of annual maintenance, the amount you’ll save in monthly heating costs and from not having to purchase a new system will more than pay for the cost of the maintenance.
Other Benefits to Enrolling in Annual Maintenance
In addition to the many financial benefits to enrolling in annual maintenance, there are also a bunch of other benefits you’ll receive! When you factor in all of these, it really makes enrolling in annual maintenance worth it.
The biggest benefit of annual maintenance is one you may not immediately think about, but is one that is very important. When you have regular maintenance performed on your system, one of the standard things performed on your system is the cleaning of the vents and coils. This increases the quality of air in your home. Unclean air within your home can potentially make you sick and can trigger allergies very easily. You will immediately notice the difference when you have your system cleaned.
The biggest benefit of annual maintenance is one you may not immediately think about, but is one that is very important. When you have regular maintenance performed on your system, one of the standard things performed on your system is the cleaning of the vents and coils. This increases the quality of air in your home. Unclean air within your home can potentially make you sick and can trigger allergies very easily. You will immediately notice the difference when you have your system cleaned.
When to Have Routine Maintenance Performed
While this may not be something you’ve ever considered, when you have maintenance performed on your system matters. If you’re having heating maintenance performed, you typically want it done towards the end of the summer. This is because your system has been inactive for several months and you’ll need it soon. In addition, this will also ensure that you don’t need emergency maintenance in the winter!
How You Can Protect Your Heating Unit
While we have described how professionals can help you maintain your heating system and keep it in tip-top shape, there are also several ways in which you can keep your heating system operating at its max potential. Some of these may be things you’ve never even considered! One thing to remember though is ALWAYS make sure your heater is turned completely off before trying any of these.
- Check the flames- The flames within your furnace should be a nice even blue color. If you notice anything different, don’t try to fix this yourself and call a professional to handle this.
- Change the filter- If you aren’t already, you should be changing the filter every three months or so. This will ensure your unit does not get clogged with dirt, debris, or anything else that may inhibit its operation.
- Dust pilot light- Using a small plastic straw, blow air onto the pilot light. Sometimes dust can make the furnace think that the pilot light is not lit, when in fact it is. Cleaning the pilot light off will fix this problem easily!
- Clean the flame sensor- Using an emery cloth, lightly clean the surface of the flame sensor and insert it back into its bracket.
- Dust Hot Surface Igniter- Be sure NOT to touch this piece! They are very fragile and can break very easily! Simply blow some of the dust off the sides.
- Check Drive Belt- Inspect your heater’s drive belt for any cracks or frayed pieces. New belts are typically very cheap and is an easy repair job!
- Check Air Ducts- You may be losing heat through the air ducts within your home. Inspecting these for any sources of leaks and sealing them can increase your unit’s efficiency and lower your energy bill. This also means your unit won’t be under as much stress!
What Type of Filters to Use in Your Furnace
For those not within the HVAC world, the difference between air filters may seem unimportant, but in fact, different air filters drastically change the way your furnace works!
Filters are graded on what’s known as the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value Scale (MERV) which goes from 1-16. The average residential filter falls within the range of 4-12. For the most part, filters that have a MERV of 7 or 8 provide the best balance between cost and efficiency. Filters with an 8+ rating are more expensive, but also have a very high efficiency. This is great if someone in your home has severe allergies or low-immunity. Just make sure that you stay ahead of the game when it comes to changing your filter.
As far as types of filter, there are two main kinds, fiberglass, and high-efficiency. You should never switch between the two without first speaking to an HVAC professional. High-efficiency filters send significantly less airflow throughout your home (as they work hard to trap 99% of airborne particles). A trained technician can increase the fan speed of your unit to ensure continuity of comfort.
Filters are graded on what’s known as the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value Scale (MERV) which goes from 1-16. The average residential filter falls within the range of 4-12. For the most part, filters that have a MERV of 7 or 8 provide the best balance between cost and efficiency. Filters with an 8+ rating are more expensive, but also have a very high efficiency. This is great if someone in your home has severe allergies or low-immunity. Just make sure that you stay ahead of the game when it comes to changing your filter.
As far as types of filter, there are two main kinds, fiberglass, and high-efficiency. You should never switch between the two without first speaking to an HVAC professional. High-efficiency filters send significantly less airflow throughout your home (as they work hard to trap 99% of airborne particles). A trained technician can increase the fan speed of your unit to ensure continuity of comfort.
Most Common Heater Problems
There are several problems with furnaces and other heaters that come up significantly more than others. We’re here to help you try to diagnose and fix the problems yourself before calling professionals!
- Check thermostat- The first thing you should always do if you suspect something may be wrong with your heater is check the thermostat. This is by far the most common issue to arise with heaters.
- Check breakers- Ensure your heater is receiving power and is not turned off.
- Furnace fuse- If the power is on and your furnace is not working, check to make sure the fuse is still intact.
- Change filters- An old filter can restrict airflow throughout your home and will limit the ability of your furnace to operate at its maximum capacity.
- Check gas- Just like checking the power, checking the gas lines are equally as important. Make sure any handles that are perpendicular to gas lines are turned parallel.
- Check exhaust flue- This process is a little more involved, but is a common issue for heaters. If your flue is not clear, your furnace cannot operate normally.
- Air ducts- A large percentage of heater efficiency is lost within the ducts of your home, make sure you check them for any sort of leaks or blockages.
- Clean heat intake/exhaust- sometimes leaves, dirt, or debris can get into the intake/exhaust pipes outside and can mess up your furnace. Double check to make sure that all of the pipers are clear from any debris.
How to Replace a Home Furnace Filter
If you’re not replacing your home’s furnace filter every couple months, you’re actually shortening the life of your furnace and minimizing the comfort of your home! Blocked airflow can actually cause your furnace to overheat and shutdown.
The first step to replacing your home’s furnace filter is determining the type your furnace uses. As discussed previously, the two main types are fiberglass and high-efficiency.
The next step is to get the filter from a hardware store. Filters are very inexpensive and should be readily available at almost any home improvement store.
After you get the new filter, remove the old filter from your furnace. Most modern furnaces have markings that will instruct you how to insert it correctly.
Finally, keep a record of when you installed your new filter. This will help you keep track of when you need to replace it again.
This is the simplest DIY furnace repair job you can do. Anyone can accomplish this and then feel great about themselves afterwards!
The first step to replacing your home’s furnace filter is determining the type your furnace uses. As discussed previously, the two main types are fiberglass and high-efficiency.
The next step is to get the filter from a hardware store. Filters are very inexpensive and should be readily available at almost any home improvement store.
After you get the new filter, remove the old filter from your furnace. Most modern furnaces have markings that will instruct you how to insert it correctly.
Finally, keep a record of when you installed your new filter. This will help you keep track of when you need to replace it again.
This is the simplest DIY furnace repair job you can do. Anyone can accomplish this and then feel great about themselves afterwards!
How Much Does Home Furnace Repair Cost?
his is a very difficult question to answer without first understanding what the problem with your furnace is. The cost of home furnace repair can be anywhere from $100 to over $1000. The National average for furnace repair was $268 last year, but the typical range spent by homeowners was $135-422.
If you’re in the market for emergency furnace repair, you can expect to pay a little more than this, especially after-hours or on holidays. You can avoid furnace repairs by following some of the steps we’ve previously mentioned.
If you’re in the market for emergency furnace repair, you can expect to pay a little more than this, especially after-hours or on holidays. You can avoid furnace repairs by following some of the steps we’ve previously mentioned.
How to Find the Best Heating Repair
Searching for the best heating repair in your area can be an exhausting process. Fortunately we’re here to help! There are several key factors in finding the best heater repair near you! The most important of which is ensuring your contractor is licensed. This will not only ensure you’re getting the best service in the area, but will also ensure you’re covered just in case anything goes wrong. To go along with this, make sure your contractor has insurance as well. This is equally as important as having a license. You may also want to check if your contractor offers emergency service. This should provide you with peace of mind just in case something were to happen at an inopportune time. This should go without saying too, but make sure their customer service is top-notch. If speaking to your contractor feels like a chore and you dread making the call, maybe consider switching contractors. Probably the most important aspect of choosing a contactor is prices. Don’t always go with the cheapest repair possible. The old saying “you get what you pay for” really applies in this situation. A shotty repair job may actually make your home heating system worse and force you to spend double for a repair you wouldn’t have needed in the first place. Ensure that your contractor is providing great service at a fair price. If necessary, also check for whether or not your contractor also does fuel oil delivery. It may be advantageous to you to get a contractor that’s sort of a “one-stop shop” for everything you need!
If you want to maximize the life of your home heating system, you should also look for a contractor that offers maintenance plans. Enrolling in an annual maintenance plan is the only way to truly ensure your system is always operating at its max capacity and you’re saving as much as you can with monthly bills. You’ll be minimizing repairs and monthly energy costs while maximizing your efficiency and your system’s life!
More than likely, there are dozens of heating contractors around you that are all competing for your business. The more contractors in your area, the more competitive the prices will be!
If you want to maximize the life of your home heating system, you should also look for a contractor that offers maintenance plans. Enrolling in an annual maintenance plan is the only way to truly ensure your system is always operating at its max capacity and you’re saving as much as you can with monthly bills. You’ll be minimizing repairs and monthly energy costs while maximizing your efficiency and your system’s life!
More than likely, there are dozens of heating contractors around you that are all competing for your business. The more contractors in your area, the more competitive the prices will be!
Our Final Thoughts
There are so many easy things you can do to protect your system from costly repairs. Enrolling in annual maintenance plans are the best way for you to ensure your system is operating at its best. But before you choose a contractor, make sure you do some research to ensure you’re getting the best service for a reasonable price. If you’re ever not sure what’s wrong or don’t feel confident in your ability to fix a problem, call a professional right away! Finding the right contractor should put your mind at ease and provide you with the best service in your area!