Learning All About Oil Furnace Maintenance and Repairs

The Top 2 Reasons to Hire a Pro for Your Furnace Repair

Why is furnace repair a job for a professional? Unlike other types of home improvement projects, this one isn't something you can do yourself. Whether your furnace won't heat your home evenly, makes loud noises, or has another obvious issue, take a look at the top reasons to hire a professional and the best way to find a qualified HVAC contractor in your area.

Do You Have the Best Equipment Connections?

HVAC equipment is not all the same. There are differences in price, quality, and fit (when adding components to an existing furnace or heating system). If you're not sure where to buy the parts your furnace needs, which parts to choose, or if your local home improvement retailer offers the best prices, you need to hire a professional contractor. 

A quality HVAC technician should either have the parts your furnace needs or have the ability to find the components. While prices vary by part and by manufacturer, an HVAC pro may have the industry connections necessary to buy components at a lower price than what big box or local hardware stores can offer. This could potentially save you money. The professional also has the knowledge needed to choose the right parts the first time, saving you time, energy, and the cost of non-returnable components. 

Do You Understand How Your HVAC System Can Waste Energy? 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, older furnaces may have an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) measure between 56 and 70 percent. AFUEs for mid-efficiency systems range from 80 to 83 percent and the rating for high-efficiency heaters can reach 90 to 98.5 percent. The AFUE measures the percentage of energy (from heating fuel) that the system turns into heat. The remaining percentage is a measure of heat and energy losses.

If you're not sure how old your furnace is, how wear and tear can affect the AFUE, whether your home has other sources of heat loss, or why a broken part could make your heater less efficient, contact a professional. An HVAC technician can inspect the system and look for loss-related leaks in your home. A quality contractor can also offer furnace repair services that can boost the overall efficiency of your heater and help keep its energy usage under control.

How Can You Find a Quality HVAC Contractor?

Now that you know more about the top reasons to choose a professional HVAC contractor, the next step is finding a company to work with. This step should not include random calls to every local heating company you google. Instead, talk to friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, or other people who you know in real life. Ask for referrals and first-person reviews. If you still can't find an HVAC pro and need to cold call a company, make sure the contractor has references, is insured/licensed in your state, and has the experience to back up any claims they may make about their work.