How many of you remember the television show “Lost in Space”? Or more recently the movie by the same name? They both featured a rather annoying robot that could seemingly say just one thing, “Danger Will Robinson, danger!” Wouldn’t it be great to have a robot to warn you when your heating and cooling systems are in danger and need some HVAC maintenance?
Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air can’t provide you with a robot, but we can give you some of the warning signs that it’s time for an HVAC tune-up.
Unusual Noises
Yes, the squeaky wheel really should get the oil. If your system starts making strange sounds, it’s a warning sign that it needs some attention. Squealing, grinding, or grating sounds are typical signs a belt has slipped, something needs to be lubricated, or bearings on a motor are worn out or broken. The worst thing you can do is ignore the sounds. The longer you wait, the more damage is being done.
Utility Bill Sticker Shock
If your monthly bills seem unusually high or spike up suddenly, it’s a pretty good sign something is wrong. Without HVAC maintenance, the heating and cooling systems in your Montgomery, AL home lose their efficiency. A tune-up can cut your monthly energy use by as much as 15%.
What’s That Smell?
Unusual odors can also be a sign it’s time for some work to be done. Don’t ignore damp or musty smells during the cooling season. It could be a sign of mold or even bacteria on your cooling coil or in your ductwork and it needs to be addressed. When you turn on your furnace for the first time in the fall you will often notice a burning smell. This is almost always from accumulated dust burning off when the furnace heats up. It generally ends quickly and is not a problem. If you smell something more like burning oil or rubber, then you may be dealing with a more serious situation and should schedule HVAC maintenance to determine the cause.
Maybe in the not too distant future, we will live with robots that will take care of all the chores around the house. Until then, we have to pay attention to the warning signs and depend on Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air for regular HVAC tune-ups. We’ve been serving Montgomery and Auburn, AL and the surrounding area since 1908. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
