There's just no feeling quite like the feeling of a cold snap moving through Raleigh. The mercury goes down, and a chill runs over the air that reminds you of just how much you count on your heating system. For all of us, it's a cozy reminder to bundle up and get warm. For others, it's a nightmare when the furnace grunts, a strange noise emanates from the basement, or worse—nothing whatsoever occurs.
When your heater breaks during a cold snap, it's not just a nuisance; it's a real emergency. But a stressful one need not become an absolute crisis. By understanding what to expect from a professional Raleigh heating repair company and being prepared accordingly, you can stay safe and get your house warm again as soon as possible.
The truth of the matter with an emergency fix in a cold snap is that you are part of a crowd of homeowners in this position. This presents a couple of special challenges worth noting:
While you wait for a seasoned Raleigh heating repairman from Ultra Air Heating & Cooling to arrive, here are some simple, safe things you can do to make the process more tolerable:
When our technician gets there, he ensures he knows the gravity of the situation. His work is systematic and aimed at both speed and precision.
The absolute best thing to do in the case of a cold snap is not to go into an emergency at all. Preventive maintenance comes in handy here. Getting a professional heating system tune-up done each fall is the one best way to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
With a tune-up, a technician will clean your system, oil moving parts, tighten electrical connections, and inspect all components for wear and tear. This service can catch minor problems, like a faulty sensor or a deteriorated belt, before they result in a system-wide failure on a cold winter morning. It's a small investment worthwhile for your peace of mind and the avoidance of the stress of a heating emergency.
If your furnace won't turn on on a chilly day, or if you're experiencing a gas smell, strange noises, or a yellow or orange pilot light, it's an emergency. For any gas smell, shut off the system and call a professional immediately.
Most heating and air conditioning companies, like Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, will charge additional for after-hours, weekend, or emergency service. This is to cover the expense of having the technician work outside of business hours.
If the part is required but not currently on hand, then the technician will typically perform a repair just long enough to restore some heat and return another time to install the permanent part.
A professional technician can assist you in making this choice. A rule of thumb is to look at the age and health of your furnace. If it's greater than 15-20 years and the cost of the repair is greater than 50% of a new system, it's usually more economical to replace it.
Book a heating technician tune-up this fall. It's the most cost-effective method to get your system ready for winter and pick up small issues before they become major ones.
A heat failure in the midst of a cold spell is never fun, but with a little planning and help from a dependable pro, you can weather it safely.
Because you can trust Raleigh heating repair, call the experts at Ultra Air Heating & Cooling. We're always available to assist, even during a cold snap. Call today at (919) 348-9399.
When your heater breaks during a cold snap, it's not just a nuisance; it's a real emergency. But a stressful one need not become an absolute crisis. By understanding what to expect from a professional Raleigh heating repair company and being prepared accordingly, you can stay safe and get your house warm again as soon as possible.
The Challenges of a Cold Snap Repair
The truth of the matter with an emergency fix in a cold snap is that you are part of a crowd of homeowners in this position. This presents a couple of special challenges worth noting:
- High Demand: One cold front has the potential to induce hundreds of heat pump and furnace failures city-wide. The technicians are working around the clock, and wait times may be longer than normal.
- Parts Availability: While the leading companies stock universal parts, a succession of cold snaps can easily deplete a supply. Occasionally, a part has to be ordered, putting a delay into the repair.
- Safety First: A professional technician's number-one concern is to accurately diagnose the problem and have your system running safely. This includes not rushing the job to move on to the next one. They will take time to do the entire test to avoid a dangerous or recurring failure.
What to Do While Waiting for Your Technician
While you wait for a seasoned Raleigh heating repairman from Ultra Air Heating & Cooling to arrive, here are some simple, safe things you can do to make the process more tolerable:
- Troubleshoot First: Before you even pick up the phone, check your thermostat to make sure it's on "Heat" and the temperature is higher than the room temperature. Check your air filter—a dirty filter can limit airflow and shut down the system. And check your circuit breaker to ensure that a switch has been flipped. Sometimes these are the only solutions you need.
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Stay Warm and Safe: Dress in layers and cover yourself with blankets to retain body heat. Close off doors and vents to vacant rooms to direct the heat into the spaces you occupy. If you are using a space heater, follow these necessary safety precautions:
- Place it on a nonflammable, level surface, away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, blankets, or furniture.
- Never use an extension cord with it.
- Never leave it unattended, particularly when sleeping.
- DO NOT Use Hazardous Heat Sources: Never heat your home with your gas oven, stovetop, or a charcoal grill. They are not meant for space heating and can emit fatal carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas. Make sure your home is equipped with functioning carbon monoxide detectors on each level and near bedrooms.
What to Expect from a Professional Raleigh Heating Repair
When our technician gets there, he ensures he knows the gravity of the situation. His work is systematic and aimed at both speed and precision.
- Complete Diagnosis: The technician will not hazard a guess. They will check the whole system to find out the main reason for the problem. This would include the thermostat, all electrical parts, the blower motor, the gas valve, and most importantly, the heat exchanger, where there may be a crack with the potential of presenting a carbon monoxide risk.
- Transparent Pricing: After making the diagnosis, our technician will provide you with an open, upfront price quote for the repair. We value transparency and will not undertake anything without your approval. We'll also let you know if a part needs to be ordered or if the system is no longer worth fixing economically.
- Professional Repair: Once you've approved the work, our technician will perform the repair with quality parts and equipment. They'll test the system to ensure it's working correctly and safely before they leave.
The Best Method of Preparation: Preventative Maintenance
The absolute best thing to do in the case of a cold snap is not to go into an emergency at all. Preventive maintenance comes in handy here. Getting a professional heating system tune-up done each fall is the one best way to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
With a tune-up, a technician will clean your system, oil moving parts, tighten electrical connections, and inspect all components for wear and tear. This service can catch minor problems, like a faulty sensor or a deteriorated belt, before they result in a system-wide failure on a cold winter morning. It's a small investment worthwhile for your peace of mind and the avoidance of the stress of a heating emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know my furnace problem is an emergency?
If your furnace won't turn on on a chilly day, or if you're experiencing a gas smell, strange noises, or a yellow or orange pilot light, it's an emergency. For any gas smell, shut off the system and call a professional immediately.
2. Do I need to pay extra for an emergency repair?
Most heating and air conditioning companies, like Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, will charge additional for after-hours, weekend, or emergency service. This is to cover the expense of having the technician work outside of business hours.
3. What if the technician is not able to repair my furnace on one service call?
If the part is required but not currently on hand, then the technician will typically perform a repair just long enough to restore some heat and return another time to install the permanent part.
4. Is my furnace worth repairing or should I replace it?
A professional technician can assist you in making this choice. A rule of thumb is to look at the age and health of your furnace. If it's greater than 15-20 years and the cost of the repair is greater than 50% of a new system, it's usually more economical to replace it.
5. What is the single most effective action I can take to avoid a winter breakdown?
Book a heating technician tune-up this fall. It's the most cost-effective method to get your system ready for winter and pick up small issues before they become major ones.
Warm and Safe Winter
A heat failure in the midst of a cold spell is never fun, but with a little planning and help from a dependable pro, you can weather it safely.
Because you can trust Raleigh heating repair, call the experts at Ultra Air Heating & Cooling. We're always available to assist, even during a cold snap. Call today at (919) 348-9399.