The first week or so of January saw temperatures all across the United States to plunge 20 degrees below averages, if not more, thanks to the threateningly-named Polar Vortex. Though many breathed a sigh of relief when it finally dissipated, but get ready, because another could be coming. According to Wes Junker in The Washington Post, “The remainder or January is expected to be colder than normal, sometimes downright frigid…This time, the cold could stick around for a longer duration.” This means that the next day or two might be the last opportunity to hire heating contractors and making sure your system is working efficiently, especially if you didn’t do so before or during the last cold spell.
While you’re at it, you should have professionals take a look and provide air conditioning services as well. The best heating and air conditioning companies will be comprised of professionals who understand the intricacies of both kinds of systems. So while you might need heat repairs to beat the return of the Polar Vortex today, in just a couple months the priority could switch to staying cool. So contacting a professional and getting a complete upgrade is smart if you don’t want to have to worry about getting repairs again in the near future.
According to experts, you should have professionals inspect and upgrade your HVAC systems once in the fall before the winter arrives and then again in the spring. If you were a bit lazy, or perhaps cash-strapped, and had to wait until the last minute, then you should think about having both systems upgraded at once. There might be a bit more of a financial investment to have heating and air conditioning companies provide repairs for both systems at once, but if you do so now, you shouldn’t have to contact them again until next fall.
Interestingly, many American homeowners might find that now is the best time of year to contact air conditioning companies because, quite simply, they are still running their AC unit regularly. Last year, more than 60% of homes in the Southern U.S. ran their central air all year. While many had to at least turn it off when the frigid early January temperatures arrived, some will find that it is always a good time to upgrade AC systems.
If the next Polar Vortex lasts longer than the first, as Junker posits, then air conditioning might be the last thing on your mind. However, if you plan on getting a quick heat repair to make sure you can stay warm, it might also be a good time to fix the AC unit. Doing both at once could go a long way towards helping you stay comfortable all year and avoid the stress of having to get repairs twice in just a short amount of time. Helpful sites: www.simplythebestac.com