As the weather starts getting chilly in the mornings and the leaves start changing colors, we start making the transition from using our air conditioning to using our furnace. This means it might be time to think about a furnace tune up. Cold houses are not pleasant to be in, so it’s important to ensure your furnace is running properly. Furnaces need tune ups to continue to perform well and to keep your house safe. Here are some ways you can tell if you need a furnace tune up. 

Signs To Look For For A Furnace Tune Up

There are multiple indicators that your furnace needs maintenance. Amongst them are:

Uneven or Uncomfortable Temperature

If some rooms in your house are warmer than others, this can indicate that your furnace has clogged filters. Similarly, if you set your thermostat and your furnace can’t reach the level you set it to, this can mean that your furnace is struggling, and that maintenance could help it out.

Higher Bills

If your furnace is working harder and longer to try to reach the temperature you set your thermostat to, this can cause your heating bills to shoot up, because you are unconsciously using it more. 

Weird Smells Or Sounds

Generally, if your furnace is working properly, you don’t really notice it too much. However, if your furnace starts rattling or hissing or squeaking or making any other kind of unusual noise, that’s a clear indication to have it looked at asap. These sounds can be accompanied by a burning smell, which means that parts of your furnace are either overheating or broken.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

As your heating is part of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system), if it struggles, you’ll likely struggle too, and not just in being cold. If it’s harder to breathe, you find yourself coughing or sneezing or your eyes, throat, or nose are irritated, this means something’s affecting the ventilation/filter for your furnace. 

Time

If it’s been at least a year since your last furnace tune-up, it’s time to schedule another one. Generally, professionals recommend annual furnace tune-ups. However, if you have an older system, that should be checked more frequently.

Why Furnace Tune-Ups Are Important

Furnace tune ups are needed for more than a comfortable house. A furnace left with maintenance problems can pose serious risks, to you and your home. Plus, like any other part of your house, they need check ups to keep running smoothly.

Prevents Health Issues

Since your furnace affects your air quality, problems with your furnace can cause problems for you. Poor indoor air quality is linked with allergy flare-ups, developing respiratory diseases, and  even heart issues and cancer. 

Catches Potentially Dangerous Problems

A professional can catch any potential risks in your furnace before they have the chance to grow into a serious problem for your house. For example, if your furnace runs on gas, a technician can spot and fix leaks.

Longevity

Same as any other part of your home, a furnace left unattended won’t last as long as one that gets regular tune-ups. It can break and require more frequent repairs or replacement, ending up with you spending more money on it and on your heating bills than you would if you had it checked annually.

Comfort Levels

A working furnace means a nice warm house with good indoor air quality. When it’s cold outside, you don’t want that coming in. You want to be comfortable in your home.

What To Expect From A Furnace Tune Up

When you schedule a furnace tune up, technicians will come out to your home and check a variety of things. They’ll take a look at your airflow, your furnace filter, your wiring, and more. They’ll clean away any debris in the system. They’ll check all the aspects of your furnace and identify any problems. They’ll talk with you about their findings and fix any issues they find. 

Do You Need A Furnace Tune Up?

Our experts here at R & D Heating And Air provide personalized service to you and your family. We understand the importance of furnace tune ups which is why we offer exceptional service and go above and beyond to keep your furnace safe. To schedule a furnace tune up or for any questions about any of the services we offer, please contact us at R & D Heating And Air today!

Are you at a point where it’s time to replace your air conditioner? Have you seen some of the new air conditioning systems designed to reduce energy consumption while maintaining a cool home? Ductless AC systems have increased dramatically in the last decade, even though Mitsubishi created them in the late 1950s. Fortunately, modern updates have reduced the overhead expenses, and ductless AC is more affordable than ever. Which system is best for your home, your budget, and your cooling needs? R&D Heating and Air is here to help you understand how to choose the right system for your home.

Price

Initially, people always want to know the price of a ductless AC or a traditional central air conditioner. Which one should you choose? If you opt for price alone, a standard central air conditioner is usually priced lower than a ductless one. What we recommend you consider is the cost over time as you look at both options. Ductless mini-splits cost less to operate, and they require less maintenance from a standard air conditioner. Also, ductless AC systems do not use as much energy to operate, saving homeowners hundreds of dollars yearly on energy bills.

Installation

Central air conditioners and ductless AC systems work differently and require different installations to work correctly. If you do not have air ducts in your home, additional costs and work are needed to allow a central air conditioner to push air throughout the home. Ductless air conditioners are easier to install as they are installed on the wall in strategic locations to provide effective cooling. An outdoor compressor is used to provide refrigerant to the unit, which is installed through the home’s walls.

Temperature Control

Keeping control over the temperature in the home is important to most homeowners. It’s awful when the upstairs is several degrees warmer from the lower levels of the home. When you have a warmer upstairs, it can place additional stress on the central air conditioner to cool this area, which can then keep cooling the rest of the home, leaving your basement or lower levels frigid just to enjoy a cooler upstairs! Ductless AC units will focus on controlling the temperature in individual rooms. This means you can keep the rooms you do not use warmer, allowing you to save money on your home’s energy bills.

Lifespan

How long with the air conditioner last? Long-term efficiency is vital when determining which system is right for your home. Central air conditioners normally last 12-15 years, but some can last longer. Ductless AC systems can last 20 years or longer and are more efficient. Call our office to discuss air conditioner replacement and determine if ductless AC or traditional AC units are best for your needs.

Air conditioners are an important part of owning a home. No matter where you are located in Utah, you will end up dealing with heat several months out of the year. Let R&D Heating and Air keep your home cool and comfortable with modern air conditioning solutions!