Warning Signs That Heater Repair Is Needed All Homeowners Should Know

Hand in a glove repairing a mechanical component of an A-Plus air conditioning unit with visible tools and wires.

Does Your Heating System Need Service?

Homeowners often take their heating systems for granted until they fail to work when it’s cold outside. A professional should fix a malfunctioning heater as soon as possible to prevent additional issues from occurring. This blog post will share some common signs that heater repair may be needed. 

A Spike in Utility Bills

bills When a homeowner receives a utility bill that is higher than normal, it often indicates a problem with the efficiency of the heating system. A loss of efficiency can occur for several reasons, including a broken or faulty component of the heating system, maintenance being skipped, or the heater being old and inefficient. 

So, suppose homeowners notice their system works inefficiently due to a spike in heating costs. They should have a professional inspect the system, determine the cause, and make the necessary fix, whether that is heating maintenance, repair, or system replacement. Once they finish, the system should work more efficiently, which is reflected in lower utility bills.  

Abnormal Sounds and Smells

bad smell If a homeowner hears strange sounds such as a rattling, squeaking, banging, or grinding sound in their heating system, a professional should be called to check the heater for issues. The heater should be relatively quiet when running, so if there are any noticeably different sounds, it’s a sign of problems.

Unusual smells such as a burning smell or the smell of smoke should not be ignored since they are another sign heater repair is needed. These burning smells could indicate serious issues like overheating or a cracked heat exchanger that could be dangerous if not repaired. 

A Cold Home or Uneven Heating

Sometimes, homeowners may notice that their homes aren’t getting as warm as they should be or that the heat is uneven, creating some cold spots. Any time there are problems with the heating, whether it’s a complete loss of heat or that the home's temperature doesn’t reach the temperature on the thermostat, it’s a sign to call for service. 

Several issues could cause insufficient heating, so a contractor can inspect the heating system to find the underlying cause of the problem. Once they have found the cause, they can determine the best solution to restore proper heating and comfort to the home, whether that be heating repair or replacement.  

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is a family-owned and operated company serving Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas since 1977. They provide flat rate pricing, financing, and fast friendly service. Call them today for heater repair services in Austin, TX.  

DIY Heater Repair is Always a Bad Idea!

Technician repairing a boiler with tools, showcasing A-Plus Air Conditioning's heating system expertise.

Dangers of DIY Heater Maintenance and Repair 

At the end of the heating season, it can be tempting to try and do everything possible to limp the heater along for a few more weeks. With only a few weeks of chilly weather left, many homeowners will try to save money by working on their own heating systems instead of calling a professional. The downside to this strategy is they will likely end up calling an HVAC contractor anyway to fix their mistakes. 

Why not save time and call an HVAC technician, to begin with? HVAC technicians can save homeowners the hassle of DIY heater repairs. Here are a few reasons why homeowners are discouraged from doing their own heater repairs and should instead hire professionals. 

Amateurs Misdiagnose the Problem 

proEveryone can relate to disappointment when they realize they have wasted time and money working on the wrong problem. This is the number one reason why DIY heater maintenance and repairs are discouraged. Heaters are complex machines that have lots of moving parts. Without training and experience, it can be almost impossible to pinpoint an exact problem, leading to the frustration of misdiagnosis. 

Instead of wasting time and dealing with the annoyance of being wrong or making the problem worse, simply call a trusted expert. HVAC technicians and contractors are trained and experienced in troubleshooting heaters. They can more accurately find the problem and save the homeowner the headache. Most will even guarantee their work, so the homeowner is protected if mistakes are made. 

DIY Work Always Takes Longer

timeOne thing that DIY repairs and projects never save is time. Part of the appeal of hiring professionals is that they can put their expertise to work to complete a job much faster than someone attempting DIY work. Additionally, they will always have the right tools and parts ready. 

On the other hand, a DIYer has to waste time researching and guessing how to complete a task. Then they have to track down tools and go to the hardware store, not to mention the time wasted when mistakes are made. Why waste all this time when someone else could do it faster? It’s always better to leave complicated work like heater repair to professionals. That way, homeowners can relax and spend their time more wisely. 

Insurance Liabilities 

While time and frustration are good reasons to call an HVAC contractor, saving money is another. When homeowners attempt their own heater repairs, they risk a lot, hoping it pays off. However, they are not protected from problems resulting from their DIY work. That means the homeowner is on the hook financially for any damages or injury. 

When homeowners call a professional, everyone is protected by special licenses and insurance. This means that not only are professionals less likely to make a mistake, but in case they do, their workers and clients are protected by insurance and not financially liable for costly mistakes or injuries. 

These Risks Also Apply to DIY Air Conditioner Repair

In addition to their heating services, HVAC specialists are also experts in air conditioning services. The risks associated with DIY heater repair and maintenance are the same risks of DIY AC repair and maintenance. Not only can professionals help residents stay warm and cozy during the colder months and cool and comfortable during warmer months, but they can also assist with transitioning from heating to cooling as the weather warms up. 

When switching from using the heater to the air conditioner, it’s important that maintenance be done on the AC so technicians can ensure the AC system is running optimally and efficiently all season long after sitting unused for a while.  With years of experience servicing heaters and air conditioners, HVAC contractors can help homeowners with any work they need on their heaters and AC systems.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is a family-owned and operated business serving Austin and the surrounding communities. They provide flat-rate pricing, financing, and a beneficial maintenance agreement. Call them today for AC or heater repairs and maintenance in Austin, TX.

Find the Right Heater Repair Service

Person in plaid shirt and blue overalls carrying a toolbox in doorway, representing practical HVAC and home repair services.

3 Things That Identify Great Heating and Cooling Companies

When searching for the perfect home heating and cooling company, researching is the best way to avoid being conned out of hard-earned money and key to finding a heating service that fits the family’s needs without breaking the bank. Trusting the home to a repair company is a huge step and takes a good level of trust between the homeowner and the technician.  

1. Positive Reviews Online

person holding phone with 5 stars hoveringThe Internet offers the benefit to homeowners of being able to research potential repair companies straight from a cellphone while on break at the job. Looking up reviews for local companies is as easy as typing the company's name into Google and pulling up every review written about that company. Sometimes, companies may rebrand or rename the company if there are too many unfavorable reviews from previous customers. 

One way to make sure the company is trusted within the community is to read reviews on Google, Facebook, Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, or Home Advisor. Finding the name of the owner of the company and researching them is a way to see how long they have been doing business in the area. 

Reviews that are mostly positive and use words such as “prompt”, “professional”, “knowledgeable” indicate that this company is likely one that can be trusted and has been trusted by many homeowners already.

2. Licensing and Insurance is Up-to-Date and Correct

Every state has different requirements for licensing and insurance for repair companies such as HVAC companies. Checking with the local licensing board or Department of Labor is the simplest way to verify if the information provided by a contractor is up-to-date and legitimate. 

Doing business with a licensed and insured company is the best way to ensure the job is done properly, parts are warrantied, and labor is guaranteed by the company. Saving money is important to many homeowners, but not sacrificing the quality and safety of the family should take priority by hiring a certified, well-trained contractor to maintain or repair major household systems.

3. Are Maintenance Plans Worth the Money?

HVAC technician performing maintenanceMany heating and cooling companies offer maintenance plans, and some offer tiered plans based on individual homeowners’ needs. Good maintenance plans offer two system inspections per year, one in the fall to check the heating before winter comes and one in the spring to check the air conditioning before the summer hits. 

Certified technicians evaluate whether the unit needs repair or preventive maintenance. Having systems serviced regularly will prevent costly repairs down the road and extend the life of the current unit. During services, filters are cleaned or replaced, lubricants are added to prevent dryness, and refrigerant is checked. 

Maintenance plans allow homeowners front-of-line privileges in emergency situations and discounts on services if repair or replacement becomes necessary.   

About A-Plus Air Conditioning and Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning and Home Solutions, located in Austin, TX, has offered installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, handyman/home repairs, and remodeling services since 1977 as a family-owned company. Financing is available to fund whatever project a homeowner has on their mind. Give them a call today for expert AC and heating services in Austin.

The Hidden Dangers of DIY Air Conditioner Repair

Why Avoid DIY AC Repair Like the Plague

With the ever-growing popularity of Pinterest and YouTube, the era of the DIY project has not only surfaced but engulfed today’s market. There are businesses dedicated to helping people DIY whatever it is they want to do.

Wine and paint services are a big one. Why buy a painting from a store when someone can paint the same thing with their own two hands? Why buy a bookshelf when it can be built from scratch by following a short set of directions on YouTube. These days, most things are pretty easy to DIY. But when it comes to home repair, it’s a whole other story.

Because home repair can mean jeopardizing the safety and comfort of those living in the home, it’s critical that the repair is done correctly the first time and that problems don’t start spinning out of control. The best way to ensure this is to avoid DIY air conditioner repair and hire an experienced professional instead.

DIY Air Conditioner Repairs Can’t Offer Safety and Insurance

pro technicianEver experienced trying to fix something, but instead, it just ends off worse than it was to begin with? There’s a lot of people that have taken a ride in that boat. In most cases, homeowners do not have the expertise needed to solve a repair issue effectively, which can either cause added damage or make the repair tougher for the next contractor - leading to higher costs.

Forget one small thing and the AC ends up malfunctioning in other ways. A professional HVAC company ensures that homeowners are protected with both the safety and literal insurance they need for any potential damages. All home repairs have some level of risk, but having this insurance coverage provides homeowners with peace of mind.

DIY AC Repair Isn’t a Quick Solution

The one thing people always forget is how long a DIY project can take. The video for building a new bookshelf might only be five minutes long, but it takes a lot longer than that to actually complete! DIY AC repairs take a lot of tools, time, and energy. When a homeowner takes on a home repair project, they need time to learn how to fix the problem, then they need time to get the tools and replacements, and then they need time to actually do the repair.

quick solution

The problem is that there’s no time to waste when your air conditioner is broken. Hiring a professional speeds up the repair process. Professionals already have the knowledge and the tools that they need on-hand, and they can execute the repair faster and more safely than a homeowner doing AC repair for the first time.

At-Home Repairs Don’t Diagnose the Whole System

system repairEverything is connected within the HVAC system. If there is a small air conditioner repair that’s needed, this is often a sign of a larger HVAC problem. When homeowners try to fix the AC problem themselves, they don’t know how to run a diagnosis on the whole system to get a broader picture of what’s gone wrong in the HVAC system.

When a professional is involved, they can fix the problem at hand and run diagnostics on the whole system. This approach can help identify any underlying issues and allows homeowners to implement a solution that’s best for the entire HVAC system.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

Serving homeowners in the Austin, TX area for over 40 years, A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is your reliable AC repair company. They offer high-quality repairs with upfront pricing, so there’s never any surprise as to what you’ll pay for service.