Service Tips | Dependable Heating and Cooling

Dependable Service Tips

At Dependable Heating and Cooling, we understand how frustrating it can be when your heating and cooling systems are working properly. We’ve put together a checklist of items you can check yourself before contacting a service technician for repair. If your unit needs repair or possible replacement, we can help you determine which option will be best for you, your home, and your budget.

BEFORE YOU CALL

Refer to the checklists below before calling a service technician.

Air Conditioning Checklist

Is the thermostat set to cool?
Is the thermostat turned lower than the temperature in the house?
Have you changed the batteries in the thermostat?
Are all breakers and fuses good?
Is the service switch on at the air conditioner?
Are all covers in place on the air conditioner and furnace?
Do you see ice on any of the pipes (turn AC off and call for service)?
Are filters clean?

Furnace Checklist

Is the thermostat set to heat?
Is the thermostat turned higher than the temperature in the house?
Have you changed the batteries in the thermostat?
Are all breakers and fuses good?
Is the service switch on at the furnace?
Are all covers in place on the furnace?
Are filters clean?
Turn the furnace power off for two minutes, then back on to see if furnace starts back up. This will reboot the furnace. If this works you will still want to have the furnace inspected for issues.

Contact the experts at Dependable Heating and Cooling to schedule a diagnostic service call or maintenance check.

Should I Repair or Replace My System?

How to tell whether repair or replacement is the right route:

Newer Systems – For new or relatively new less than 10 years old systems, it is likely that repairs make the most financial sense.
The 50% Rule – If the cost of repair vs. replacement of your system is less than half of its value and is less than 10 years old it may be easier on your checkbook to repair.
Moving – If you are planning on moving in the immediate future and your system is still working, talk to your local real estate agent to determine whether either repair or replacement would be in your best interest. A new furnace and A/C may add value to your home.
Maintenance – some simple maintenance techniques may help prolong the lifespan of your equipment and make replacement unnecessary. Ask your technician if this is in your best interest, and if so, what you can do to get a few more miles out of your existing system.

Recognizing the Time for Repair vs. Replacement

Age – When it comes to repair vs. replacement, the EPA and Department of Energy’s joint ENERGY STAR program recommend systems older than 10 years and furnaces older than 15 years be replaced. Though these systems may last longer, they will lose energy efficiency over time, costing you more in energy bills.
Frequent Breakdowns – If your system has broken down multiple times over the past several years, repairs may not be in your best interest. In some cases, they can add up over time, costing you more than investing in a new system.

REPAIR

AGE OF UNIT

Under 10 Years

Unit is under warranty
Unit has R410A refrigerant
Is efficient

EXTENT OF PROBLEM

Minor

Drain clogged
Electrical problem
Fan motor

UNIT SIZE

Sized Right

Ensure your unit is properly sized to insure it runs at peak performance and lasts longer

REPLACE

AGE OF UNIT

Over 10 Years

Unit wastes energy
More likely to break down
R22 refrigerant is getting phased out

EXTENT OF PROBLEM

Major

Compressor bad
Condenser coil bad
A coil leaking
Extensive repairs

UNIT SIZE

Too Big/Too Small

Too big will not remove humidity and will short cycle
Too small unit will not keep up on hot days
Inefficient

What Customers Had to Say

Just a quick note to thank you for your great service. Our job at Harriet Shoreview was a small one, but you took it on without a second thought. I really appreciate it. Tim called back promptly when I sent an email. Cory and Shane did a great job of venting our bathroom fan through the roof. They were prompt, professional, and efficient. I’ll keep your name as my go-to for HVAC and pass it on to others in need of your services.

“Very nice young gentleman. Polite, professional. Dustin shows he loves his job.”

“I would like to say thank you very much. we are very impressed by the quality of work you did for us. we got multiple quotes from other companies and none of them offered the services you did for us and one even told us we would need to get a plumber and a handyman to run heat to one of our rooms in the basement and to switch out the gas line.

We will recommend your company to anyone in the area who needs work done on their HVAC!”

“Awesome job Cory for fixing the gas leak & double checking everything.”

“Shane is a very pleasant, kind & professional young man. Very good at his job.”

“I want to thank you for the excellent job that your company did on my chimney repair. Cory & Shane were very efficient at putting the chimney liner in on my three-story house and installing the cap. They did a good job of cleaning up a big mess. I appreciate such good service. Thank you!”

“Tim- Thank you so much for your swift and excellent service. Thank you, Melissa & the crew.”

“Thank you for all your help when part of the furnace filter fell down into the furnace. Your instructions and patience (especially waiting while I looked for tools) on how to do this were terrific. I didn’t know you had even called back before you left work, to check that all was okay, as I wasn’t home until later that evening-because I had to leave the house again as soon as the furnace was working. Thank you very much!”

“Job well done Cory!”

“Dustin,
You made a difference in our life that I will forever remember & share with family & friends.”

“Great job Cory on our RTU’s”

“Cory & Shane did an outstanding job of replacing the chimney liner in our 86-year-old house. They had to work above 3 stories and dig out the old liner, which was no easy task. (it was stuck) They remained very pleasant & professional when they could have been very frustrated. They also installed a new air conditioner into a 2nd story window. I highly recommend them.”

“Thanks for coming out so late and being so courteous to figure out the problem on my furnace.”

“Shane was very professional. Job well done & I’d have him back.”

“They worked with me to fit my schedule, took my calls in off hours and even saved me a service call by telling me what I can do to correct a problem. I would definitely recommend this company to my friends & family. I’m a single woman who knows nothing about heating & cooling systems. Often times I feel companies rip me off or take advantage, but not these guys.”

“Job well done Shane on our install! Wife is very happy for the very clean areas afterwards.”

“Thanks for getting out so quickly & fixing our furnace on this cold day.”

“A note of appreciation to your employee Cory for his thorough, careful work on my ac & furnace systems. He is also very friendly and careful about the house. Please congratulate him!”

“Thanks Eric, you were very professional.”

“I want to thank everyone at Dependable for your ability to work with me yesterday and get a new furnace installed. The installers, Shane & Jim worked hard & were very friendly & professional.”

“Great job & good care by Dustin on my heating & AC needs. He’s a great tech.”

“Great job Cory! Thanks for catching the dirty condenser the other people didn’t.”

“Great job Dustin! I would highly recommend you.”

“Thank you so much for the great job you did installing our furnace, air conditioner and humidifier on 8/18/16. Thank you for being so careful and watching the Sammi, our Brittany Spaniel, did not get out while you worked. We appreciate that so much. Thank you for the neat job and the clean work space that you left. Your professional service and courtesy was outstanding.”

“Dustin was very pleasant, nice. He went out of his way, very personable.”

“Dustin,
Thanks for helping me out. You’re the best!”

“I had a service call on my furnace this am. I’m corresponding with you to give out a few compliments.
I appreciated the prompt reply on my message I left on voicemail last evening. I appreciated the professionalism displayed by your technician Cory B. He was very friendly/considerate in removing his shoes upon entering my home and thorough in his analysis of my problem. I work retail so I understand the definition of good service. The service I received this morning from Dependable was what I would classify as EXCELLENT service!”

“Great job Dustin.”

“Tim- Thank you so much for your swift and excellent service. Thank you, Melissa & the crew.”

“Great job Cory! You are very kind, courteous and know your job.”

“Shane was very professional. Job well done & I’d have him back.”

2619 Coon Rapids Blvd NW # 101 Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55433

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