Repairs Archives - BNG Heating & Cooling

We’re always reminding our customers that the best way to save money is to make sure you’re scheduling regular maintenance visits for your HVAC units. The idea seems counterintuitive to most: “Why would I pay money for a checkup if my system seems to be running fine?”

The answer is that your system almost always seems to be running fine—until it suddenly breaks down. Most people also think their system is working well, only to crunch the numbers and realize that their energy bills have been steadily on the rise for years.

When we come to your house for a maintenance visit, you’ll find out that those “sudden” breakdowns aren’t so sudden after all. We can pinpoint potential problem areas and even run an efficiency test to make sure that your system is running as smoothly as possible, so that you’re not spending way too much money on your energy bills.

So, what does the visit look like exactly? Here’s how it goes:

Meet and Greet Your Technician

At BNG, it’s important to us that our customers have a relationship with the technician assigned to their home. We are the gatekeepers to your home comfort, and the better you know us, the more you feel free to call on us with any questions or concerns—just as you would with a beloved family doctor! We trust that each and every one of our technicians will provide friendly, professional, and expert service. We hope that you’ll take advantage of their expertise!

Survey the System

Just like a checkup at the doctor’s office, our technicians will run through the basics of HVAC health. We connect gauges to the outdoor unit to make sure it’s running with the right pressure and temperature. We also check to make sure oil is added to motor oil ports, that all electrical components are protected from erosion, that all wires are in-tact, and that all moving parts are functioning properly.

For an indoor unit inspection, we’ll make sure that mold hasn’t made its way into your home, we’ll change your air filters, and we’ll make sure that your thermostat is properly calibrated.

Clean the System

While some homeowners are able to clear most leaves and debris from their outdoor unit, it’s advised that you allow your professional technician to really clean the unit during a maintenance visit. We can make sure that the condenser fins are completely clean and that no leaves have gotten into the mechanics of your unit. This is especially important to do at the change of every season!

The checklists that we run through are absolutely vital to preventing expensive HVAC breakdowns. We do know, however, that some (usually newer) systems require a little less maintenance than others. That’s why we offer three tiers of maintenance plans! Choose from this list to see what plan works best for your home. Trust us—the investment you make in preventative maintenance for your HVAC unit can save you thousands in the long-run!

Needing a maintenance visit right now? Call our team at BNG Heating & Cooling to schedule an assessment today.

When do I know it’s time?

The number one sign is usually when your home’s vents either stop blowing cool air or stop blowing air at all. You’d hate to get to that point!

Here is EnergyStar’s official list of recommendations for when it’s time to replace your unit, but keep in mind that every unit and home is different!

Your home may be in need of new insulation or you may just be experiencing some consequences of poor maintenance. Be sure that you need a replacement before jumping the gun.

Call in an expert to hear their recommendation!

How can I extend the lifetime of my current system?

We tell our customers to schedule regular maintenance on their systems because that is the surest way to keep your system healthy. Don’t wait until things break down before you investigate the mechanics of your system.

If you take care to pay attention to it at the beginning and end of every season change, the likelihood that you’ll experience a breakdown is much, much lower.

What’s the benefit of replacing my not-dead-yet unit?

While systems often perform well beyond their expected lifespan, sometimes it’s not wise to stretch the life of a unit just to save on replacement costs.

This is especially true if your unit has been performing poorly for some time, because you’ve probably been spending way more than necessary on your utility bills and on small repairs.

We love this rule of thumb: “You take the age of the equipment and multiply that by the repair cost. If the number is more than $5,000, then you should consider replacement.

For example, a 10-year-old unit with a $350 repair equals $3,500. It’s OK to repair.”