Heaters break down all the time, especially older ones or ones put under a great deal of strain in the face of our freezing Andover, MA winters. But you don’t expect a brand new heater, or one that is just a year or two old, to encounter a serious problem or suffer a breakdown from a given component. That’s why most reputable brands are covered by a warranty: to protect you, the customer from a lemon or a sudden mechanical failure. If your heating system suffers an unexpected breakdown and you purchased it within a year or two, there are some specific steps you can take to determine what happened. It could end up saving you a great deal of money.
Check to See What’s Covered
Heating manufacturers have specific warranties covering specific components, and you need to make sure you know what’s covered and what isn’t. They usually cover the components only. Individual service providers may guarantee smaller parts and service under a warranty of their own, and if you purchased your home with the heating system already intact, that could affect the coverage as well. Read the warranty carefully before calling for repairs, and let your service provider know that you think the problem may be covered.
Don’t Attempt to Fix the Problem Yourself
Unless the problem can be solved by resetting the breaker, replacing an air filter or adjusting a thermostat, you should never attempt to fix the problem — or even diagnose it — on your own. That will almost certainly void the warranty and leave you stuck with the check.
Follow the Technician’s Suggestions
Depending on the nature of the problem, you may need to contact the manufacturer before repairs are conducted, fill our a claims form, or conduct similar steps. A reliable technician should know exactly how to proceed in such circumstances, and can provide you with concrete advice on how to protect your investment.
Trust the pros at Cooling Unlimited for your next heating service!
