Preparing for Summer

If you know that your furnace or heating system is in need of repairs, you may be tempted to simply turn it off and wait for the fall to repair it. This is often because as spring arrives and the days and nights are getting gradually warmer, there is not as much need for you to have to turn on your system. Unfortunately, waiting to make the repairs is not a good idea. Not only could it end up costing you more in the long run, it could also have a negative impact on your family's health and comfort.

Not Making Repairs Could Potentially Be Deadly

When you don't make repairs to your heating system in a timely manner, you place yourself and your family at risk of sickness and even death. Every year, approximately 430 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning that is not related to a fire. Many of these deaths are caused by being exposed to gas or gas vapors. In addition to these deaths, there is approximately another 10,000 cases of carbon monoxide-related injuries.

Even low levels of exposure when not treated could result in damage to your brain, heart, and other internal organs. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often confused with seasonal colds, flu, or other types of conditions. These symptoms can include the following:

• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness and more

Today's homes are more energy efficient and airtight. This means when carbon monoxide gas escapes into your home, it has no where to go. This will cause the gases to build up more quickly than it would in an older home that may be drafty. Never allow any damage to your pipes, flue liners, chimney's, or any other parts of your system go unrepaired. In addition to making the needed repairs, have your chimney professionally inspected to look for soot build-up, debris, and animals nesting in and around your chimney.

Putting Off Your Repairs Could Leave You In The Cold

Depending on where you live, cool nights can linger well into late spring, or show up quickly in early fall. When you combine a cool night with a little rain, you could possibly find your home cold and damp. If you have not made the repairs to your system, you will be unable to kick your heat on for the evening to knock this chill off of your home. This will leave you and your family more uncomfortable than you would want to be.

Delaying Your Repairs Could Cost You More Money

The average cost of having your furnace repaired is approximately $335. Of course, your total cost will depend on what is wrong with your system, as well as when you have it repaired. When you delay having repairs done, the elements of your system that are not working, or not working at optimal capacity, can affect other components of your system. This means that a repair that may only involve one component now may involve several other components in the fall. 

Service pricing often depends on supply and demand. If you have your system repaired in the spring when your service technician is not in as high of demand, you may be able to find a special or talk them into a discount. On the other hand, if you wait until fall when many people are trying to install new systems, have their systems inspected, or are making repairs, service technicians will be in much higher demand which may result in higher prices.

When your system is not operating at optimal levels, it has to work harder. Not only does this put more strain on your system components, it could also increase your energy costs. If your costs increase substantially, you could quickly find yourself paying more on your utility bills than your repairs would have cost you.

Don't put something as important as your furnace repairs off when you don't have to. Doing them now will give you peace of mind that your system is ready whether you need it now or later.

For more information and assistance, talk with a furnace repair company in the area, such as Custom Comfort.