Mike Smith Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

No Heat? Here’s Our Emergency Checklist

Monday, February 26th, 2024
to-do-list-on-snowy-background-with-a-cup-of-cocoa

It’s not quite springtime yet. You’ll still need your heating system for a little bit longer! So if something goes wrong, you’ll need to get it sorted out right away. Do you need emergency heating repairs if your heat stops working? Maybe, but maybe not! Here are some things you should check first.

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Furnace Repair: When Replacement Is Too Expensive

Monday, January 15th, 2024
a-hand-dropping-a-coin-into-a-piggy-bank

It’s the coldest time of the year in Louisiana, very different from our usual luxurious warmth. And of course, if your furnace is going to have problems or break down, now—when it’s working the hardest—is the time when that will happen. What should you do about your struggling or failing furnace? Should you have it repaired? Do you need to replace it? What if that’s too expensive?

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Have You Changed Your Air Filter Recently?

Monday, January 1st, 2024
close-up-view-of-an-air-filter

Happy New Year! A fresh start, a clean slate, some good resolutions in mind, and you’re all ready for 2024, right? But wait. How’s your furnace doing? How can it have a fresh start and a clean slate? The best thing you can do for your furnace is to change the air filter. Why? How? When? We’ll tell you everything you need to know.

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Mid-Season Maintenance Goes a Long Way!

Monday, December 18th, 2023
technician-performing-heating-maintenance

Did you forget to make an appointment to have your heating system maintained in the fall? Don’t worry, it happens. The real question is what you should do now. Should you wait until next year to get heating maintenance? Or should you have it done mid-season? You should get it done right away. Here’s why.

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DIY Furnace Repair: Never a Good Idea

Monday, November 6th, 2023
smoke-detector-with-smoke

Many handy homeowners pride themselves on being able to fix anything in their homes. Of course, being independent and skillful is wonderful! But fixing a furnace is nothing like repairing cabinetry, installing a countertop, or redoing drywall. There are major risks to DIY furnace repair that you should not ignore. Here are the serious hazards you can avoid by relying on qualified professionals.

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3 Heating Issues That Need Immediate Attention

Monday, October 9th, 2023
technician-performing-heating-repair

It can be tempting to put off unpleasant things, like filling out frustrating paperwork, washing the most difficult pot to scrub, or investigating the cause of the strange sound your car has started making. But some things really do need to be addressed promptly. When it comes to your heating system, how can you tell the difference?

Certain heating issues really do need immediate attention. Here are three problems your heater might encounter that need repairs ASAP.

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The 50% Cost Rule for Getting a New Heater

Monday, March 13th, 2023
technician-repairing-a-furnace

If your heater is having a problem, we always advocate for prompt repairs. Getting something fixed right away can make the difference between a small repair (and a small bill) and major components being damaged and needing to be replaced (which means a much larger bill). But there are times when it just doesn’t make sense to pay for a repair. How can you tell whether you should keep investing in your old heater or get a new one? Let us explain the 50% rule.

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5 Ways to Know if Your Heater Needs Repair ASAP

Monday, February 13th, 2023
technician-repairing-a-furnace

Most people are experts in just one or two areas. Someone might be great at fixing cars but at a loss when it comes to computer problems. Someone might be brilliant at gardening but a terrible cook. No one should feel the need to be an expert at everything. That’s what experts are for! When it comes to your own home, you should feel empowered to learn some basics about the systems that keep it running.

While you should always leave the actual repair to the experts, you don’t have to stay in the dark about your own heating system. The most important thing to know is when to call in the experts.

How can you tell when your heater is working fine and when it’s in dire need of repair? Here are some clues you’ll spot if your heater is in trouble. 

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What Happens When Your Heater Isn’t Installed by a NCI-Certified Technician?

Monday, January 30th, 2023
technician-in-uniform-greeting-a-customer

When your heater needs to be replaced, the installation is a significant part of the cost. It can be tempting to hire an amateur, someone with some home-improvement skills but no regular heater installation experience, and no specific training. They might be a cheaper option. Or, if you’re a DIY enthusiast, you might wonder if you can do the installation yourself. 

What are the benefits of having a qualified technician install your heater, and what are the risks of amateur installation? We’ll give you a full rundown of the reasons why a highly-trained professional should be the only person installing heating equipment in your home.

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These Furnace Sounds Could Spell Disaster

Monday, January 16th, 2023
woman-listening-to-furnace-sounds

We often talk on this blog about the importance of having repairs done promptly when any part of your HVAC system is experiencing problems. Delaying repairs can cause small problems to worsen, put strain on other parts of the system, or even cause damage to unrelated components. 

The trick is knowing how to catch problems early, and one of the best ways to do that is listening to the sounds your furnace makes. Pay attention to the sounds you hear when all is going well. They should be steady and consistent, and not very loud. Once you’re familiar with the good sounds, you’re more likely to notice right away when strange sounds occur. What strange sounds might you hear when your furnace is having trouble, and what kind of trouble do they indicate? Read on to find out.

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