Five Questions to Ask During Heating Repair

Sometimes furnace repairs are necessary. You can make sure you get the most of your repair by asking the heating repair technician the right questions.

1. Will the Warranty Cover Repairs?

In some cases, you may not have to pay the full out of pocket cost for a heating system repair. First, check to see if the problem is covered by your home warranty. If not, there may be a warranty on the furnace itself. If this same problem has been an issue in the past, there may be a warranty on the work performed previously or from the manufacturer of the malfunctioning part. Your repair service can help you check for manufacturer warranties.

2. Is Repair or Replacement a Better Option?

If a problem keeps occurring or if your furnace is more than 10 years old, you need to decide whether it is better to repair the issue or replace the entire furnace. In some cases, replacement is a much better option. Not only will you avoid frequent future repairs, but a new furnace may also be more energy-efficient so that your electricity and fuel costs will go down. Work with your repair technician to determine which is the better option for your furnace and budget.

3. How Long Should the Repair Last?

When the age of the furnace and the cost of repair has you on the fence about which decision to make, ask how long you can expect the repair to last. If a repair is nothing but a temporary solution, then you will be simply paying again for either another temporary solution or a new furnace. Your repair tech should be able to give you an estimate of how long a repair should last so that you can determine whether it is a good investment of time and money.

4. What Will Prevent This Issue In the Future?

Many furnace issues are preventable. Your repair technician can provide you with maintenance advice so you can keep the same issue from occurring again. For example, clogged fuel lines on an oil furnace can be avoided if you don't allow the oil tank to run completely dry. Or, you may be able to avoid fan breakdown by changing the filters more often.

5. Is the Work or Parts Warrantied?

Always make sure the work carries some sort of guarantee or a warranty. Parts are typically covered by the manufacturer as long as they are installed by a certified furnace tech, and most repair services also guarantee their work. Find out both the length of the warranty and what must be done to use it in the event it is needed.

Contact a heating system repair service for more help.