If you haven't already done it this fall, there's no time like the present to schedule an annual service visit for your furnace or heat pump. By following these simple tips, the annual service visit will go much more smoothly:
- Know your equipment – Be ready to tell the technician the brand and model number of your furnace or heat pump. If you inform him beforehand, he can have the specific appliance in mind before he gets to your doorstep.
- Be aware of issues – If you've been noticing particular problems with your furnace, relay them to the HVAC professional when he arrives, in as much detail as possible. This will save a lot of time.
- Know your locations – The location of your furnace or heat pump components goes without saying, but you should also be able to direct the technician to your thermostat, circuit box and any other equipment he might need to look at.
- Troubleshoot first – Each furnace or heat pump comes with an instruction manual, and inside you'll find a section to help you troubleshoot problems you might be having. If you can save the technician time by fixing a problem or two yourself, it can only help.
- Remove blockage – If your heating equipment is blocked in any way, or is located in a basement or closet, it should be accessible before the service call begins.
- Be ready to make payment – The money owed for services probably will be due at the end of the visit, unless the contractor is willing to send you a bill. When you first call, inquire which forms of payment they accept – cash, check, or credit card – and plan accordingly.
- Know who is responsible for paying – If you're not the homeowner, be sure you speak with him or her before you call for an annual service visit. You don't want to get stuck with a bill for services that the homeowner didn't agree to have done.
If you would like further assistance with your annual service visit, or for any questions regarding home comfort, please contact us at Joe Behr Plumbing & Heating, Inc. We've been serving the HVAC needs of Mid-Ohio homeowners since 1965.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Mid-Ohio area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preparing for your annual service visit and other HVAC topics, visit our website.
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