Furnace repair for older systems is kind of like car repair for vintage rides — it comes with unique challenges, and you need an expert who’s experienced with the classics. Today’s furnaces are energy-efficient, sometimes high-tech and are often what’s used in HVAC training and education courses. However, if well maintained, your old-school furnace could last for several years. Heating systems, whether it is a furnace or boiler, are a costly investment. You don’t want to replace them if you don’t have to, especially if your current furnace has a lot of life left in it. However, you do need a furnace contractor who knows a thing or two about older models.

The average life span of a furnace is around 18 years. If your furnace has passed the sweet 16 age, it’s likely time to start shopping for a new model. You don’t want to rush such a decision if the heat goes out for good, and you can make up any initial costs with the energy efficiency of a newer model. However, if your heating bills haven’t gone up and you’ve been sticking with at least annual inspections, you might be able to stretch out your current furnace a little longer. It can be tough to find parts for older furnaces, so make sure you have a technician on board with the experience and networking necessary to get hard-to-find parts in a pinch.

Troubling Signs

It’s common to have a few maintenance necessities or small repairs with your yearly check, but if your furnace has been breaking down more often in recent years, beware. Many furnaces begin to act up in the last two years of their life. The heat quality may also be going down, even though the temperature remains the same. If you notice an increase in allergy symptoms indoors or excess dust, those are signs your furnace may not be working properly.

A reputable HVAC technician will listen to your needs and preferences before making any recommendations. Remember: A technician and/or repair company doesn’t get a cut for encouraging you to upgrade your furnace. In fact, it’s likely more profitable for them to keep repairing a furnace on its last leg. Furnaces, like cars, are going to break down more, work less efficiently and generally give you more trouble the older they get. Repairing them will get tougher as you need to seek out technicians who are skilled with older models. This usually means these technicians have been around the block a few times and may have trained on models similar to what you have.

Fortunately, the apprenticeship aspect of HVAC training means that knowledge and skills for fixing older models is indeed getting passed down. When shopping for an HVAC technician, ask about your specific make, model and year. Call Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning for a quote and to ensure your furnace is still up to the job.

What are your go-to heating and cooling hacks, tips and tricks for summer? The pinnacle of the sweltering months has arrived, and with barbeque season in full swing, you’re probably relying on your HVAC system more than ever.

Depending on where you live, summer might mean several months in a row of blasting the A/C — or it might mean really cool summer nights in which you inch your thermostat up for a comfortable night’s sleep.

No matter what temperature you prefer or where you live, a perfectly working HVAC system is just one of the must-haves for summer.

Heating and cooling aren’t just for comfort — they’re also for safety. Every year people in the United States die from heatstroke, mostly among vulnerable populations (infants and the elderly).

These cases are most common in hot locations where victims don’t have access to temperature-controlled environments. Here are some of the best hacks for regulating your temperature this summer for every budget and every body:

• Get your HVAC system serviced: This should have been on your spring cleaning list, but if it slipped through the cracks, don’t worry. It’s not too late. You put the highest demands on your heating and cooling system in the summer and winter. Make sure it’s functioning flawlessly so you get the highest benefit without causing your utility bill to skyrocket.
• Get a cross breeze: If your home features a hallway between doors on either end of your home, take advantage of it. Nothing compares to a good summer breeze, and it might be strong enough that you can give your HVAC system a rest. You’ll also get fresh air and the aroma of nearby summer gardens into the house, and it’ll encourage you, your family and your pets to play outside.
• Regulate your temperature with a healthy diet: Cool down from the inside out by snacking on homemade juice pops, freshly squeezed lemonade, or treat yourself with a mid-day gelato or ice cream. Plus, those few seconds you’re in the freezer will be a welcome reprieve from the heat.
• Insulate your windows: Your HVAC system could be working perfectly, but if your windows aren’t well-insulated, then it’s all for nothing. You’re basically trying to cool down the entire neighborhood, and that’s a battle you won’t win. You can upgrade to Energy Star windows, seal them, add a film for extra insulation or add window dressings to help trap cool air.
• Let your childhood inspire you: What were your favorite ways to cool down as a kid? Maybe it was a nearby park with a fountain to play in, a slip and slide or the old-school lawn sprinkler. Icy cold water from the hose is something you never outgrow — and you don’t need to have kids to squeeze in a summer workout while cooling down running through the sprinklers.

Ready to keep your cool? Contact Sandy Heating & Cooling for more ways to cool off.

Is air conditioning installation rocket science? Not quite, but one wrong move can damage your air conditioner, lead to high monthly bills and ultimately destroy the energy efficiency in your carefully chosen model. It is possible for HVAC contractors to make mistakes, which is why homeowners need to do their due diligence when shopping for a contractor.

However, it is still a good idea to know what the most common mistakes are so you can spot them if your contractor ends up underperforming. The first is a biggie: failing to know about combustion safety. The first place most contractors turn when a carbon monoxide alarm goes off is the furnace to check for a leak, and if none is found, it may be dubbed a false alarm. However, backdrafting is a real issue, so testing flue gases is a must.

Here are a few more oversights that happen too often:

1. Forgetting about air flow

If you have not heard of a ductopus, count yourself lucky (it’s when ductwork gets out of control). Air flow usually requires bigger duct systems than what has been installed. A lot of ductwork is subpar, not the right size and prone to leaking. Understanding air flow should be HVAC Basics 101, but it is not.

2. Skimping on home performance

A lot of contractors have tunnel vision and overlook opportunities to share with homeowners how their overall home performance could improve. Just because a contractor is called in to repair a boiler doesn’t mean he can’t point out ways to improve the central air, too. It’s silly, since speaking up will benefit both the homeowner and the contractor.

3. What’s the “V” in HVAC for, again?

A lot of contractors completely forget about ventilation — and if you don’t have the V, you’re left with a HAC/hack. Ventilation can be difficult in newer homes that are sealed tightly, but spot ventilation is critical, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens.

4. Ditching the math

“This is how I’ve always done it,” is a poor mantra for a contractor. With so many HVAC systems out there, you simply cannot go without running the numbers. To get the right size and minimize heat/cool air loss, the contractor needs to have an equation worked out. Otherwise, he or she is just guessing. Mistakes can be made, but they can also be avoided. Make sure your contractor is reputable and reliable.

The biggest mistake of all may actually be that of the homeowners: failing to research contractors thoroughly. Get started on the right path today by connecting with Utah’s Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning team, a local company that sets the HVAC installation bar high.