HVAC Repair Tips for Homeowners

I got hired as a receptionist at an HVAC company because of my proficiency with organizing schedules, arranging appointments, keeping up with inventory and billing.

I knew absolutely nothing about the heating, air conditioning and ventilation industry.

However, I’ve now been on the job for over ten years. I’ve gradually become quite knowledgeable in the products and services we provide. I make sure that our technicians keep up with NATE- and ACCA-certifications and the necessary training for factory authorization. I contact our customers to remind them when it’s time to schedule maintenance for their heating system in the fall and the cooling system in the spring. I am able to explain our air quality testing procedures, duct sealing process and types of air filters. I listen to customers’ complaints with the performance of their heating and cooling equipment and make suggestions for possible DIY fixes. From residential to commercial temperature control needs, I’ve gained quite a bit of insight. While I lack the skills to actually install, fix or tune-up a furnace, air conditioner, boiler, heat pump or ductless mini-split, I can discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each. I am aware of the less traditional options such as geothermal heat pumps, high-velocity systems, dual fuel systems and VRF systems. I understand the meaning of SEER and AFUE ratings and can explain the rewards of adaptable-speed technology, smart thermostats and zone control. Because of my job at the HVAC company, I’ve been more conscientious about the quality and care of the heating and cooling system installed into my home. I’ve invested into indoor air quality accessories and signed up for one of our maintenance plans.

 

 

dial thermostat

The new furnace has helped to reduce our impact on the environment and added value and convenience to the home.

When we purchased our home, we were happy with everything about it other than the furnace. The location is perfect for us, and we’re thrilled with the giant lawn, privacy and lovely wraparound porch. I have a huge kitchen and my husband has a sizable workshop. We simply weren’t happy with an oil furnace. The tank created an eyesore and there’s always the risk of a leak. I needed to schedule fuel delivery and then worried we’d run out and be left without heat in the middle of the winter. With the especially long and cold winters in our local area, heating is a priority. We experience temperatures down into the negatives for months at a time. Oil furnaces are not as clean, safe or energy efficient as modern gas furnaces. They create fumes and cost more to operate. Thinking that oil to gas conversion would be a cost-prohibitive and extremely involved project, I lived with the oil furnace for nearly five years. When the furnace started showing signs of wearing out, I contacted a local HVAC contractor for recommendations. He immediately suggested that we convert to natural gas. His company handled the entire process for us. While it was a significant investment, we’ve recovered the cost in energy savings. Our heating bills have been cut by nearly 20%. Since we run the furnace for nearly eight months out of the year, this adds up quickly. The new furnace has helped to reduce our impact on the environment and added value and convenience to the home. It is such a relief to no longer stress over fuel delivery. I was so happy to have that giant oil tank removed. Plus, my family gets to enjoy superior comfort.

 

Geothermal heat pump

Last winter, on an especially cold day, I decided to bake cookies.

I hoped that running the oven would help warm up the house.

With outside temperature down to negative fourteen, fresh-baked cookies sounded good. Several hours after the cookies were cooled and all of the pans washed, the smell of them baking lingered. I didn’t mind it in the kitchen. It bothered me that the upstairs bedrooms smelled like dough and chocolate chips. The weather made it impossible to open a window and air out the house. I started to worry about the health of our indoor air quality. Because of concerns with energy efficiency and utility costs, I’d made an effort to seal up leaks in the thermal envelope. I’d caulked, insulated, weatherstripped and even installed new windows. I suddenly realized that while I’d minimized energy losses, I’d also eliminated natural ventilation. All sorts of contaminants are created due to normal and everyday life. Dust, dander, lint, hair, bacteria and all sorts of allergens were getting trapped inside the house, continually circulated by the furnace and ductwork and inhaled by my family. I scheduled an appointment with a local HVAC contractor that specializes in indoor air quality solutions. A technician came to the house and performed a bunch of tests to determine how and where our heated air was escaping and to pinpoint concerns with indoor pollutants. The result was the installation of an air purifier. The air purifier installed into the ductwork and captures microscopic particles as they pass through. It also actively sends out positive and negative ions that disrupt the DNA of pathogens and render them harmless. These ions cause particles in the air to clump together, become heavy enough to drop out of the air and big enough to get caught by the filter.

hvac repairman

I needed money to start my HVAC repair service.

I had 10 years of experience and I was tired of making money for someone else.

I didn’t have very good credit due to a divorce. My dad was going to co-sign for a loan, but one of his business associates offered me a different route. The guy offered to become my silent partner. That guy put up all of the money necessary for a year of operations, equipment, and supplies. In turn, he wanted a portion of the proceeds. We agreed to the terms of the deal and my partner agreed to a silent part of the company. I didn’t want anybody else trying to tell me how to run the day-to-day operations. I didn’t mind paying the guy for the loan, but I wasn’t going to have anybody else tell me how to run my company. The first time we had a disagreement about business, my partner immediately said he wanted to have more to say about the day-to-day operations. I protested heavily and the guy eventually backed down. I need to find a way to pay off all of the money that he put up, so I can get him out of the picture once and for all. He clearly doesn’t want to be a silent partner. The guy calls me everyday for an update on the HVAC business. When sales are lower than expected, the guy tries to offer helpful advice even though he doesn’t have the first clue about how to run a heating and air conditioner repair service.
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