As St Cloud residents brace themselves for a long, cold winter, one of the first things they often think about is their home’s heating. A home’s furnace ages over the years, often malfunctioning during the months it’s needed most.
St Cloud heating and furnace repair technicians find that costly repairs almost always can be avoided by simple maintenance. Scheduling a seasonal tune-up on an HVAC system can make a big difference in that system’s life. During a tune-up, technicians will look for and repair damaged or worn components, as well as finding leaks that could send toxic fumes into your home. But before you schedule your fall furnace maintenance, here are three things to consider.
Research Providers
When it comes to heating and furnace repair, St Cloud homeowners have a wide range of options. With so many to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow it down to the perfect one to fit your needs. Before you pick up the phone and make that call, carefully research each provider online and look for the following:
- A history of operating in the St Cloud area—Companies that have an established history in the region are more likely to be reputable.
- Emergency repair service—Even a well-maintained furnace could malfunction without warning. Look for a company that offers 24/7 on-call service.
- Manufacturers served—No matter what brand of furnace you have, there’s likely a local provider that includes it among their list of specialties. Try to find a technician with experience working with your particular brand of unit.
- Strong online reviews—Whether a service provider has operated in the St Cloud area for two years or a few decades, there should be at least a few online reviews out there. Check sites like Yelp and Google reviews to see what other customers have said. Also, review the provider’s Better Business Bureau rating to make sure there aren’t a large number of unresolved complaints.
Schedule Early
Fall and winter are busy for furnace repair technicians, so it’s important to find a provider and make an appointment as soon as possible. If you delay well into fall, you may find that you’re unable to get on the schedule during your preferred time, especially if you need someone to come by on a Saturday. Early fall is the best time to plan a furnace tune-up, especially in the St Cloud area, where chilly weather can set in early. When the time comes to replace your unit, an early fall appointment will also give you plenty of time to get a new furnace in place before temperatures drop.
Avoid Emergencies
Emergency service is usually charged at a higher hourly rate, so it’s important to do what you can to avoid having to make that after-hours call. Maintenance saves you money in the long run, since your technician will be able to spot any possible issues well in advance. Instead of calling after a vital component stops working, you’ll be able to have repairs made before it breaks. In addition to regular tune-ups, also pay close attention to your heating bill, as well as monitoring the efficiency of your unit. Over time, you may find your furnace operates less efficiently than it used to and by spotting the issue early, you can save months of expensive utility bills.
St Cloud heating and furnace repair technicians can schedule a tune-up even if you bought your HVAC unit elsewhere. A maintenance visit is a great way to try out the services of a local provider, which will give you the emergency contact number you’ll need in case you ever have an emergency with your heating and furnace.