What You Should Do After Installing A New Heater
A heater replacement project will likely cost thousands of dollars whether you do it yourself or have someone install it for you. However, it is one that can add to the value of your home as well as make it a more comfortable and efficient place to live. To get the most for your money, there are several steps that you’ll want to take after a new heater is put in your home.
Learn Everything About Your New Heater
There are a number of questions that you’ll want to ask the HVAC contractor who installs your new heater. For instance, you should inquire about the existing warranty or service guarantee associated with it. A warranty typically helps cover some or all of the costs related to repairing or replacing it within a certain period of time after installation.
You should ask about the warranty period, what types of issues are covered and how you should go about making a claim. You should also ask about any exclusions or if there are any ways in which it might be voided. A warranty might be voided if you fail to properly maintain the unit or intentionally damage it.
It’s also a good idea to ask if there is a recommended maintenance schedule. Typically, you’ll want to have your new heater inspected and cleaned at least once a year. In some cases, you might want to do so just prior to turning it on in the fall and during the spring when you stop using it for the year.
Ask your contractor to go over the user’s manual and explain any key features that the unit has. For example, it should allow you to create multiple temperature profiles, and in some cases, it may adjust the temperature automatically based on your preferences.
Modern furnaces may also come with their own filters or other tools that can improve indoor air quality. Make sure that you understand how your new furnace can improve indoor air quality and what other steps you might need to take on your own. These steps may include replacing the filter at regular intervals or having ducts cleaned.
Consider Buying a Service Package
Most contractors will offer service packages that come with discounted annual cleanings and other tools that help keep your system working like it should. You may also be entitled to discounted emergency service or the right to have your calls treated as priority matters that will be handled before those who don’t have service packages.
Spending the extra money on an annual membership or loyalty card reduces the risk that you forget to schedule your yearly maintenance. It also ensures that you’ll have someone to turn to if the system stops working suddenly or other issues arise that you’re not equipped to handle.
Keep Objects Away from Your New Heater
It’s imperative that service personnel have easy access to your furnace if something went wrong and needed to be fixed quickly. In some cases, keeping the area around your heating system clear can prevent an explosion or physical damage to the system that might not be covered by your warranty.
At a minimum, don’t place anything that is flammable or could produce a spark near your heater. In the event of a gas leak, the gas could interact with these materials and lead to an event that causes serious damage to your basement, garage or wherever the heating system happens to be.
If possible, take steps to restrict access to children or pets. You might want to consider placing the new heater in a walled-off part of the basement or place physical barriers that won’t be easy to overcome. A warning sign may also reduce the risk that a child or guest gets hurt or damages the furnace by getting too close to it.
Keep Tabs on Carbon Monoxide
While new systems do a great job of reducing emissions, there is always a chance for a gas leak to occur. Whether the system isn’t installed properly, is defective or is in an area that lacks ventilation, you want to know about a carbon monoxide leak as soon as possible.
A monitor is the best way to obtain an early warning that something is wrong. This is because carbon monoxide doesn’t have any discernible smell that would indicate a potential hazard. Instead, the first signs of a carbon monoxide leak tend to be physical symptoms such as dizziness or vomiting.
Your HVAC contractor may have some suggestions as to which brand of carbon monoxide monitors are best for your home. It’s critical to have them inspected every year along with your smoke detectors to ensure that your family is always protected.
If you need your home’s heater replaced quickly, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Daytona One Hour today. Remember, if we’re not on time, you don’t pay a dime. Therefore, all you need to worry about is how affordable our service is and how great your home is going to feel after our work is done.
