It has been a while since you have given your heater any thought, has it? With the first cold night of the season on the horizon one is apt to wonder if the system is up to the task. And there is no better way to put off an unwelcome breakdown than to be prepared for when the warmth is required.
We at Pride Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical have had experience with the fall changeover in Tucson and Southern Arizona like few others since 2010. A phone call to (520) 467-6373 will put us in touch to see to your system. In the meantime, some tune-up tips are in order before the cooler weather sets in.
Even if the afternoons are still warm, a Tucson morning can get quite chilly. The variance is hard on a heating system that has been idle over the summer. A bit of care now will do much to spare you from headaches down the road.
The Case for Doing It in Fall
When the cooling season is done you have the ideal opportunity to look over your heating equipment. Your air conditioner has seen its share of work this Tucson summer; the heater will be called upon next. The mildness of fall affords you the chance to put right any issues before you are depending on it every evening.
Too often we see homeowners put off testing the heat until a cold snap is upon them, which is precisely when trouble has a way of manifesting. An early appointment keeps you from being held up in the rush.
A Few Things You Can Do on Your Own
Any homeowner can manage a measure of maintenance. Before the season gets underway we suggest you:
- Put in a new or clean air filter to keep the system from being overworked
- Remove the leaves and debris that have collected about the outdoor unit
- See to it that furniture is not in the way of any vents or registers
- Make sure the thermostat is in good working order by putting it on heat
- When the system is first turned on, listen for anything out of the ordinary
- Give the air ducts a once over for disconnections or gaps
While these are worthwhile tasks they are no substitute for a technician’s full inspection.
What We Will Cover in a Professional Tune-Up
There is more to a professional assessment than what can be done from the thermostat. Our technicians will find the wear and tear that is not readily apparent and head off a failure.
In the course of a fall tune-up expect us to:
- Look for damage or cracks in the heat exchanger
- Go over the electrical and make tight any loose connections
- Run tests on the ignition and safety controls
- Put the blower motor and belts through their paces
- Verify proper cycling of the system
- Take measurements of performance and airflow
As Pride does plumbing and electrical as well as heating and cooling, we can address matters throughout the home in one go.
Warning Signs to Heed
Your system may give some indication it is in need of attention before it gives out altogether. Be on the lookout for:
- Heat from the vents that is uneven or weak
- Odd odours at start up
- Any rattling, grinding or banging
- Energy bills that have gone up for no reason
- Short cycling, or the system turning on and off with undue frequency
Should you recognise any of the above, we would recommend you ring us at (520) 467-6373. It is less costly and involved to deal with a minor issue than a major one.
The Pride Protection Plan
For those who do not wish to keep tabs on maintenance themselves, the Pride Protection Plan is the answer. This annual membership comes with a plumbing tune-up and inspections of your HVAC and electrical. For one payment you get four visits a year. Your plumbing and electrical receive as much attention as your heating and cooling, a simple matter of staying on top of things.
We Are Here When You Need Us
Pride Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is fully licensed and insured (ROC 356279, 356280 and 356281). We are open 24/7 and carry an A+ rating with the BBB. There is no pressure to contact us for a free estimate.
Our service area is all of Tucson and Southern Arizona, from Catalina Foothills to Marana, Vail and Sierra Vista, Green Valley and Saddlebrooke, Oro Valley and Sahuarita to name a few.
Make the call today to (520) 467-6373 and let our team have your system in order for the season rather than waiting for a cold night to tell you otherwise.