Massachusetts Homeowners: Find A Contractor To Fix Your Furnace

As any homeowner in Massachusetts knows, home repairs aren’t always something you budget and plan for. Even with proper maintenance, you never know when something like your furnace is going to break down.

When this happens, you may suddenly find yourself left without heat in the middle of winter. Read this guide to furnace repair and servicing.

The Most Common Furnace Problems

Waking up on a cold winter morning to a house without heat is a sure sign that your furnace has stopped working and you need to call someone for help. But there are other problems that require maintenance and servicing by a professional contractor. These are some of the signs that your furnace is in need of repair:

• Furnace keeps shutting off.
• Furnace is making loud grinding or scraping noises.
• Minimal air flow.
• Heating system is blowing cool air.
• Unpleasant odor when the furnace is running.
• Cold and hot spots throughout your home.

Leave furnace repair to a HomeAdvisor pro in Massachusetts.

Cost of Repair

The cost to fix your furnace will depend on the type of repair required. Minor repairs can cost as low as $50 and run as high as $500 to replace the blower fan or thermostat. If you need to replace your furnace you can expect to pay up to $13,000.

Inspecting your heating system each year, along with regular maintenance, can help keep your furnace in good running condition.

Repair or Replace?

While fixing your furnace can solve some problems, there may come a time when it makes more sense to replace rather than repair. Here’s how to determine if it’s time to replace your furnace:

• Age – The average lifespan of most furnaces is 15 years. Older furnaces will require more expensive repairs and servicing to keep them running efficiently.
• Energy costs – If you notice that your energy bill is getting higher even though you keep your furnace in good repair, it may be time to replace it with a new energy-efficient model.
• Inefficient heating – If you notice cold and hot areas in your house it may be because your furnace is no longer operating effectively. A new furnace will be able to heat your home more efficiently.
• Frequent repairs – Replacing an old furnace is a smart way to avoid frequent repairs that you didn’t budget for.

Tips for Choosing a Repairman

When something goes wrong, you want a furnace repairman you can rely on and trust to get your heating system back in running order. Use these tips when choosing an experienced and qualified contractor:

• References – The best way to find a furnace repairman is by asking family and friends who they would recommend.
• Experience – Look for contractors that have several years of experience in furnace repair.
• Reviews – Look at online reviews for any heating contractor you’re considering hiring. See how other customers rate a company and what feedback they leave about their experience.
• Credentials and training – Ask to see credentials and licensing before choosing a repairman. You want to put your furnace in the hands of a professional who has the qualifications and training to back up their experience.
• Written estimate – Get written estimates from at least three different contractors before making a decision. Make sure the estimate includes cost and time to complete the job.
• Pricing – Never choose a repairman based on the lowest estimate. An inexperienced contractor may offer you the best price so they can get your business, but you want to choose someone who has the credentials and experience to do the job right the first time.

For furnace and heating repair, call a HomeAdvisor contractor in Massachusetts.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.