Home Heating Service & Repair

Your home’s heater is one of the most important elements of the entire structure. If you’re like most people, though, it’s easy not to think about your heater until it breaks down. And when that happens, it can become a big issue pretty quickly, especially for those living in Yankton, Vermillion, Gayville, and other nearby areas in SD.

Home Heating Service & Repair

At Larry’s Heating & Cooling, we specialize in offering heating service and repair for those in our community.

Dedicated to keeping your heating system running strong, our team provides comprehensive heating system service and maintenance when you need it most. In fact, we answer our telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because we believe you deserve to feel comfortable, year-round.

DIY Maintenance for Your Heater

While most people imagine DIY heater maintenance to be intimidating and difficult, it’s possible to perform some heater maintenance on your own.

As a homeowner, there are things you can do to maintain your heater and prevent unexpected break-downs, and you don’t have to be a pro to do it.

You can prevent breakdowns and expensive repair bills when you handle some of the maintenance yourself. Here’s how:

Inspect and clean your vents and ducts to ensure ample airflow. It can seem like a tedious task, but it can make a big difference.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a month.

Inspect your furnace exhaust pipe front the outside. Look for holes, corrosion, or other issues.

Check your air filters every 30 days, and replace them at least once every 90 days, and more frequently if you live with pets or allergy sufferers.

Seal air leaks around your home, especially in your attic. These air leaks force your furnace to work harder than it should and can raise your heating bills.

Open all the vents in your home, even in rooms you rarely use. It’s important to remember that the furnace is sized to heat your entire home. That means if you close a vent, your furnace will have to work harder to compensate.

These tips are simple and effective and can go a long way toward helping your furnace work efficiently and avoid breakdowns in the long-run. If you’re looking for simple ways to maintain your heater yourself, then be sure to follow the above tips.

4 Signs It’s Time for Professional Heater Maintenance

When you’re having trouble with your heater, it can be hard to know when to bring in a professional heating and cooling company to take a look. Not sure you need a professional heater service team? Here are a few indications it’s time to call in the professionals:

1

Your Utility Bills Have Increased Rapidly

If you’ve noticed an unexpected spike in your gas and electric bills, it may be time to call in the professionals. An HVAC tech will be able to check your furnace to ensure it’s working properly and fix any issues that may be impacting its efficiency. With their help, you can get your heater back in working order and your utility bills back down.

2

You Notice Odd Noises

While no furnace operates silently, one that’s working correctly will be pretty quiet. If you notice odd noises, like squealing, banging, rattling, or vibrations, it’s time to hire a professional for a furnace repair. In most cases, a simple repair will stop the noise. In other cases, you may need a more extensive furnace service.

3

Your Airflow is Weak

If you notice your furnace is only blowing a little air, it’s a sign you need professional furnace repair. In most cases, weak airflow is due to problems with the fans, motors, belts, or other parts of your furnace. While this issue may be simple, it may also be severe. You never know until an HVAC tech comes out and looks at it. The longer you put it off, the more you may have to spend down the line, so it’s important to get it looked at quickly.

4

Your Thermostat Cycles Frequently

If your furnace turns off and on frequently, it’s usually a problem called over-cycling. In most cases, this indicates an issue with the heating system at large. A good HVAC tech will be able to work with you to identify the problem and make the needed repairs.

Otherwise, they can recommend next steps, such as choosing a new heating system for your home. It’s important to understand that if your furnace is acting up in any way, you should get it looked at as soon as possible. Failure to do so can result in dangers such as furnace fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

What Your Heater’s Annual Maintenance Schedule Should Look Like

When it comes to your heater, just a little bit of preventative maintenance can make a big difference in the long run, saving you a ton of time and money.

With that in mind, here’s the annual maintenance schedule we recommend for our clients:

All Year Long

Every Three Months

Change the air filters at least once every three months. This promotes proper airflow and prevents your HVAC system from recirculating allergens.
Adjust your thermostat to avoid overloading your HVAC system and wasting energy.
Hire a professional to inspect your electrical connections and fix or repair disconnected, broken, or loose connections (they happen more often than you think and can lead to costly problems if not caught in time).

Fall and Winter

Spring and Summer

Hire a professional before summer arrives and your HVAC system is running nonstop. They’ll inspect all connections, fins, pans, coils, lines, refrigerant levels, and blower system components. This will keep your system running strong all summer long, without worries of losing cool air in the midst of a heat wave.
Inspect refrigerant lines to identify leaks, condensation, or other signs of problems.
Turn off the water supply to the furnace when you stop using it in the springtime.

How Long Do Furnace System Components Last?

The lifespan of your furnace system depends on the make, model, and maintenance you deliver.

When properly maintained, a good-quality furnace will last about 20-30 years, or even longer! So a good furnace is certainly worth the investment upfront, and the routine maintenance can prolong its life further.

Boilers, on the other hand, will last about 20-35 years, while air conditioners will last about 15-20 years. Heat pumps will last 10-20 years depending on usage frequency, and ductless mini-splits will enjoy a lifespan of about 10-30 years.

While these are the most common life spans, many homeowners will replace or upgrade their HVAC systems sooner to avoid major issues, not to mention save money over time when newer, more efficient models come out.

The Average Cost for Heater Parts and Repairs

While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule for the cost of heater parts and repairs, HomeAdvisor provides the following guidelines:

An average furnace repair costs $301, or between $131 and $477. Electric furnaces can run $300 or less to repair. Gas furnace repairs range from $375 to $1,200 due to complexity. Most HVAC repair professionals charge $75 per hour but can range from $50 to $150 per hour.

The cost of heater parts, meanwhile, depends on a variety of factors, including the make and model of your furnace and the needed part, the availability of the said part, and the labor required to install it. If you have questions about the specific cost of your furnace parts or repair, speak directly to your furnace repair team for an estimate on parts and service. Most heating and air companies truly want to help you stay comfortable at an affordable price, but if you wait too long, it may cost more than you imagined.

Learn More About Home Heating Service and Repair in Yankton, SD

Home heating service and repair should always be part of your annual HVAC maintenance, and this is especially true for when fall and winter are rounding the corner. If you have questions or concerns about your heater or furnace, be sure to contact your local HVAC company. Not only will they be able to provide you with accurate answers, but they can also help you figure out the right solutions to the problems you’re having with your heating system.

Contact us

To learn more about professional home heating service and repair in Yankton, SD, or to schedule a service appointment, contact our team today. We proudly provide heater installation, repair, and replacement services for those in and around our community.