Whether it’s a long weekend during freezing temperatures or the middle of the night, Central Heating has certified technicians standing by 24/7, ready to respond to your call.
Unlike other contractors, when you call us for emergency service, you get a live operator instead of an answering machine or recording, which means faster response and restored comfort as soon as possible.
Contact us today to book an appointment.
When to Call for Emergency Heating Repair
Knowing when to call a furnace repair service for emergency help versus waiting to schedule an appointment during regular business hours can be a challenge.
Calling for emergency help for a minor repair seems like overkill, but waiting could mean an increased risk of significant system damage.
So, how do you know what to do?
Here are the most common situations where calling for an emergency furnace repair is warranted.
Unusual Odours
It’s natural for your furnace to produce an odour when you fire it up at the beginning of the season; however, this smell should dissipate within a few system cycles. If the odour doesn’t go away, or if you smell gas, call an HVAC technician for emergency heating repair as soon as possible.
You Can’t Get Enough Heat
Depending on the weather and how long you have to wait to book an appointment, you might be wise to call for emergency repair if your heater can’t provide you with the heat you need to be safe and comfortable.
The Pilot Flame Is Yellow
Pay close attention to your furnace’s pilot light because it’s a good indicator of your furnace’s health. A blue flame means your system is in proper working condition; however, if the flame is yellow or orange, it usually means the system is producing carbon monoxide, which can be fatal.
Persistent Loud Noises
If you’ve owned your furnace for a while, you’re familiar with the sound it makes during operation. So, if the system starts making unusually loud, persistent noises like grinding, squealing, or rattling, it’s wise to call for emergency repair because failing to do so could put your system at risk of further damage and breakdown.
The best rule of thumb is that when in doubt whether to call for emergency help, always err on the side of caution because it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to an expensive home appliance like your furnace.
Our Furnace Maintenance Service
Many people’s attitude towards their HVAC systems is one of, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, not performing routine furnace maintenance is a surefire way to ensure it breaks, requiring an expensive out-of-pocket fix.
Here are the main benefits of annual furnace maintenance and why you shouldn’t overlook this crucial task.
Savings on Energy
Whether your heater runs on electricity, gas, or fuel, keeping your system well-maintained and running efficiently will save you money on your energy costs. An efficient system doesn’t have to work as hard as one that’s in disrepair, which means it uses less energy.
Saves Your Warranty
Most new furnace and HVAC systems come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which will save you tons of money if you need a major repair within the warranty period. However, most warranties stipulate that you must perform routine maintenance to keep your system in good shape. Failing to schedule annual maintenance could void your warranty and cost you thousands in repairs that would have been covered.
Improves Comfort
When your furnace is running at optimum levels, it provides even heat throughout the house, making everyone more comfortable.
Minimize Risk of Breakdown
Routine furnace maintenance minimizes the risk of sudden system failure, leading to excessive repair or replacement costs by finding and repairing minor issues before they escalate into major ones.
Improves Air Quality
Regular furnace maintenance and tune-ups help keep the system clean. A dirty furnace pushes air filled with contaminants like dust, pet dander, germs, bacteria, and other allergens throughout the house that can exacerbate respiratory problems for some family members.
Call Central Heating today to find out more about our furnace maintenance service and how it’s a cost-effective solution for keeping your furnace in tip-top order.
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5 Signs You Need Furnace Replacement
As the old saying goes, nothing lasts forever, and that includes your furnace.
It’s normal to want to repair your furnace instead of springing for a new system, but eventually, you reach a point where you’re wasting money, and furnace replacement is the better option.
Here are the top five signs it’s time to upgrade your old furnace.
Age
It’s not unheard of for a furnace to last up to 20 years with annual maintenance. However, the typical lifespan of a heater is between 10 and 15 years, so once your system’s age reaches double digits, plan on replacing it soon.
Increase Repair Expense & Frequency
As your furnace ages, it’s expected that you may find yourself calling an HVAC technician more and more to keep the system functioning. And, as the furnace gets older, it becomes more expensive to repair. If the repair frequency and expenses rise every year, it’s better to put that money into a new, more reliable and efficient system.
Yellow Pilot Light
If your heater runs on gas, the pilot light should be blue, which means the system is healthy. However, if it burns yellow or amber, it usually means it’s producing too much carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
Unusually Loud Sounds
Wear and tear and heavy use causes furnaces to break down. And while it’s natural for your furnace to make noise during operation, if you start hearing banging, grinding, rattling, or squealing, call a professional HVAC technician for an inspection. In some cases, the damage is too extensive and replacement is the only option.
Repair Cost
Lastly, weigh the cost of the repair versus the cost of replacement. If the repair cost is 50% or more than the cost of a new unit, replacing the system makes more sense at that point.
