There’s no good time for your heating and cooling system to go on the fritz, so it pays to keep an eye out for signals that yours may need repair, or even replacement. You don’t have to be an HVAC expert — in fact, the first two signs to look for don’t even require that you know where your heating and cooling equipment is. But it’s smart to know where you can find an expert when you do require one. Home Services from The Home Depot connects you to professionals who can provide regular tune-ups, diagnose problems and recommend repairs, or replace the entire system when the time is right. Here’s what to look for:
Your energy costs are going up
If you’re suddenly surprised by the size of your utility bill — and it’s not because there was a major snowstorm or heat wave that month — it could be an indicator that your heating and cooling system is overworked. “The less efficiently your system runs, the more you’ll end up paying,” says Dan DiClerico, director of home improvement and outdoor at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “And if it’s consistently working too hard, you’re also probably setting yourself up for more repairs in the future” — which is a good reminder that properly and regularly maintaining your heating and cooling equipment will help you stay ahead of all of these issues.
Home Services from The Home Depot can provide a professional to evaluate your system top to bottom and give you a detailed estimate. They’ll even provide a free second opinion from The Home Depot on the repairs, with a written quote from a licensed contractor. If you do decide to have the repairs done at that point, the diagnostic fee is waived.
Importantly, every one of Home Services’ experts is a local, licensed contractor and carries liability insurance — you don’t have to worry about checking credentials or asking for references.
Your system is more than 10 years old
The average lifespan of a heating/cooling system is around 10 to 20 years. Home Services from The Home Depot offers regular maintenance, which will help keep your system going strong, but at some point, it will be time for a replacement. Home Services will connect you to a local installer who will come to your home for a free consultation and free estimate. If you do need new equipment, it can typically be installed in a day.
Of course, there are also trouble indicators that you’ll notice right away when you turn your heating/cooling system on.
The A/C is blowing warm air — or barely blowing any air
“A sudden drop-off in cool air is a sure sign of a struggling central AC,” says DiClerico. If you find you’re having to set your thermostat lower and lower in order to cool the house, you may have a compressor issue — and that means enlisting a professional to assess the issue and make a repair.
Same if you turn on the system and there’s very little air coming out of the vents. That could indicate something simple, like a clogged air filter, but it might also be an issue with your motor or fan, which is a bigger deal. With Home Services from The Home Depot, emergency repairs are available 24/7 — and you won’t be charged an after-hours fee.
In fact, there are several ways Home Services has your back when it comes to your budget. If you’re installing a new system, they offer no-interest or low-interest financing; their Same Price Guarantee ensures that every provider they connect you to will give you the same pricing through The Home Depot as they do to their direct customers. And there’s a one-year warranty on any work done.
You hear unusual noises
You’re probably used to the subtle sounds a heating and cooling unit makes when it cycles on and off. But if you hear something unusual — rattling, banging, grinding, loud thuds — don’t shrug it off. “That’s your heating and cooling system alerting you to trouble — maybe a loose part, or it could be a faulty compressor,” DiClerico says. Shut the system off and schedule a consultation ASAP. Repairs can often be done on the spot, and if it turns out you need to replace the unit altogether, a Home Services from The Home Depot technician will assess your specific needs, recommend the right system and give you an estimate on what the job will cost. Then, they’ll expertly install the system and thoroughly clean up your home after the work is done. The Home Depot’s “Done Right Guarantee” means that if the system doesn’t perform to manufacturing specs in the first year after installation, they make it right with repairs or a refund.
As the biggest home improvement store in the world, The Home Depot isn’t just a place to go for tools or light bulbs or paint. It’s also a place to go for professional help and peace of mind, thanks to Home Services from The Home Depot.
The Home Depot is licensed and stands behind our installation work. Learn more here.
Source: Home Ideas - goodhousekeeping.com
