The Common HVAC Emergencies and the Cost Involved
Posted on March 31, 2017
As a homeowner, you really never know when an emergency is about to strike. Unfortunately, close to 25% of American households have no savings to help them in case of HVAC emergencies and even the remaining portion of the population, they don’t have enough cash to cater for the cost of a new furnace.
While no one wants to get stuck in the cold, few people know what it takes to be prepared in the event their furnaces stop working half way through the night.
Common Causes of HVAC Emergencies
HVAC breakdowns are among the most common emergencies experienced by homeowners. Statistics have it that they account for approximately a fifth of the unexpected home services breakdowns. Among the frequent causes of furnace emergencies include:
Dirty Filters – Filters trap all the dirt getting into your home thereby preventing it from accessing your HVAC system and getting blown around the home. These filters are either washable or disposable and their lifespan ranges from 1 to 3 months. When they are dirty, they should be replaced.
Faulty Pilot or Ignition – This happens quite often because of faulty internal systems within the furnace.
Wear and Tear – Due to old age, furnaces go through wear and tear and this eats up the system components.
Malfunctioning Thermostat – The thermostat is the heart of the furnace system and if it is not well checked, it can make the furnace operate at crazy temperatures thereby failing altogether.
Air conditioning units on the other hand also develop their own problems and according to the Department of Energy, the most cited causes for these failures include:
- Failure of electric controls
- Improper drainage
- Refrigerant leaks
- Problems with the sensor
If you do not have money to service your furnace or AC in the event it fails, you are in a precarious position. The options you have is to either go without heating and air conditioning or in a majority of the climates where this is not an option, you can then borrow money from friends or relatives. To prevent such situations from occurring, you should take steps beforehand to preempt such possibilities.
Below are some of the tips:
Maintenance of Your Air Conditioning Unit
Performing regular maintenance helps in prolonging your equipment life and decreases chances of breakdowns. You will also know when your system is about to fail.
Building Up Your Savings
There are lots of reasons why you should ensure part of your pay check goes to savings every month. If you have cash in hand to repair your furnace, it doesn’t matter the time it fails, you will be covered.
Home Warranty Program
If you purchase a maintenance or warranty program for your HVAC equipment, you will have the assurance that it is well maintained and in the best shape to protect you and your family from adverse weather conditions.
The best idea is to always have a local HVAC professional who will help