Important Things to Look for in Your Heating Service Company

Selecting a company to service your heating equipment is an important decision. If you go with one that is inexperienced but cheap, you run the risk of the technician causing permanent damage to your furnace or heat pump. The heating service you choose should offer the following services at a minimum:

• Routine and emergency repairs: Some heating problems are more urgent than others are. If your heating system is acting erratically but you're still warm, you can probably wait a day or two for services. However, having no heat at all is a different matter, especially in British Columbia. Before you book with a HVAC company for the first time, ask what its policy is for urgent appointments.
• Preventive maintenance: Regular tune-ups are the best way to ensure that your furnace or heat pump lasts as long as possible. Scheduling an appointment every fall is ideal, but you can do this at any time of year.
• Sales and installation of new equipment: When your heating equipment eventually does wear out, you need help choosing a new unit. Be sure to choose a HVAC company that is willing to answer your questions about cost, energy efficiency, and more in a straightforward and patient manner. Another thing to look for is a company that carries major brands of HVAC equipment like Lennox and Carrier.

Look for Educated and Experienced HVAC Technicians

Heating and cooling technicians need specialized training and a professional, can-do attitude to have a successful career. When you are considering whom to hire, ask if the company's technicians have completed BCIT training, are government licensed, and have undergone manufacturer's training. These credentials increase the likelihood of outstanding service.

We Are Always Happy to Answer Your Questions

Complete Heating and Air Conditioning Services knows that we have to work hard to earn trust and even harder to keep it. We welcome your questions and would be happy to have your business.

Furnace Repair: Common Problems and Their Solutions

As the weather gets colder, you may notice that your furnace just isn't working right or that it isn't keeping your home quite as warm this year. You might think that you need to call in a furnace repair specialist to take a look. However, there are things you as a homeowner can check before you decide to bring in the professionals.

Check the Thermostat

A dirty thermostat can be the culprit of all kinds of furnace issues because the air in your home cannot reach the temperature sensor in the back of the unit. It can cause your furnace to cycle on-and-off repeatedly, not allow your furnace to shut off, or stop it from coming on at all. Simply cleaning the dust out of your thermostat can save you an expensive service call during the busiest time of the year. It could also save you the embarrassment of knowing it was so simple to fix.

If you have a programmable thermostat, the battery may need to be replaced. This should be done every 12 - 24 months when you change your smoke detector batteries. Furthermore, it's entirely possible that the battery has simply jiggled loose from an accidental bump to the wall. Checking and replacing the battery, if necessary, is often a simple task.

Check the Furnace Filter

The furnace filter is one of the easiest things a homeowner can check and replace if necessary. Although often overlooked, a dirty filter can greatly reduce your furnace's ability to heat your home efficiently. Additionally, a clogged filter will cause your furnace fan to work a lot harder trying to push air through your heat ducts to warm your home.

Some furnace filters are made to be cleaned with a simple vacuuming. However, most are disposable and will need to be replaced. Fortunately, furnace filters are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement store. When going to buy a new one, you'll want to remove the old one first and take down the measurements to be sure you get the right size. Generally, they are sold in packs of two or more, so you'll have one handy for next year.

Calling in the Professionals

If you notice other things such as a funny smell, a squealing sound or any other strange noises, it's time to call in the pros. Obviously, if your furnace won't turn on or off and you've already checked the thermostat, you're going to need help from a qualified technician. There is little a homeowner can do to remedy this type of situation safely.

Many people turn on their furnace for the first time during late fall or early winter only to find out it's not working right. Regular, annual maintenance checks can help avoid this. If you haven't done this yet, call a reputable heating company in your area to schedule a visit. That way, you'll eliminate the risk that a small maintenance issue doesn't turn into an expensive, untimely furnace replacement.

Hidden Furnace Repairs

This is a short video taken by one of our service technicians performing a routine annual furnace service for one of our customers. The furnace appeared to be operating normally, however, as we tested each control component and safety device individually, a very odd but important issue was discovered and it was determined that a furnace repair was required.

All mid and high efficiency furnaces have a safety device that tells the furnace circuit board that the induced draft motor is operating normally. This device is referred to by different names - proving switch, pressure switch, pressure differential switch, etc. When the induced draft motor is not operating within the designed parameters, this switch will not allow the burners to fire. 

In this video, although its difficult to see everything clearly, you are able to see that the tubing to this switch has been disconnected by the service person, and therefore the burners should not be able to fire - yet they do. This is a concern that needs to be addressed immediately. 

This point stresses the importance of having factory trained personnel inspect your heating equipment, as they know how your furnace should operate and can find the 'hidden' problems before they become a health or safety issue.