Any unexpected error or operation failure can be stressful. The temperature of your home is definitely no exception.
An HVAC is a large system, so most people see dollar signs from the beginning, but there are several other factors that impact restoring your home’s comfortable atmosphere.
THE PROCESS
Many residential heating and cooling specialists operate 24/7. Whether you lose cooling in summer or heating in winter, it’s an emergency – especially, in this Kansas City climate. However, the initial technician visit may not be enough. Technicians come prepared to fix minor issues on the most common machines, but this only covers a small percentage of issues. Even though it is easy to get someone out to assess the system, restoring its operation may take more time.
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE
HVAC systems are made of several pieces of equipment including the outside unit (commonly known as an air conditioner), indoor unit (furnace or air handler), ductwork, and thermostat.
Furthermore, the air conditioner itself is made of several parts, such as the fan, condenser coil, and compressor. The indoor unit houses the heating coil, supply and return ducts, and more. All the pieces of equipment and associated parts can easily be the cause of the system’s failure. The actual purpose of the initial technician visit is to diagnose the issue and create a plan to repair it. If there are issues with multiple components, it may take longer to fix.
However, if you face a catastrophic failure that requires a complete replacement, you may be in luck. Many residential heating and cooling specialists keep some equipment in stock and can quickly replace broken units.
LEAD TIME
Think of your HVAC equipment like a car. Every year auto makers come out with a newer, better version than the year before. The body style may only change every few years, but the internal workings are different each year.
That being said, lead time is a tricky thing. With cars, sometimes you can use a Ford component on a Honda make. Similarly, HVAC equipment manufacturers have some parts that are universal, but many are specific to the make and model. The older or more custom your system, the longer your lead time. Depending upon what is being replaced, you may be waiting for multiple parts.
REPLACEMENT & INSTALLATION
Once the issue is identified and the parts arrive, the technician can return to fix the issue. You can generally expect the system to be up and running when the technician is finished. During this visit, the technician may suggest setting up regular maintenance visits or a ductwork cleaning.
These suggestions should be considered if your previous equipment failed at 10 years or less, if you do not replace your filters at least twice a year, or if you do not clean your ductwork annually. It’s easy to assume they are trying to upsell you, but if you fall into any of the above, chances are the technician is trying to help you avoid the issue again.
Here at Blue Heating and Cooling, we want to help you avoid system outages and keep your home comfortable. We don’t want you to have to make decisions in a state of emergency. Our team works hard to help you have your system work the way you want it to.
And we have the transparency to tell you the truth, throughout the process. Whether you need a new system, or not.
If you have questions about your HVAC system, contact our professionals today at 816.719.1099.
