So here’s a funny story. Actually, it wasn’t funny to me but my neighbors still enjoy laughing about it.
A few years ago, I was home with the kids. The toddler was taking a nap and the other kids were in their rooms, enjoying a bit of “quiet time”. I was in my usual work outfit – a ripped t-shirt, unsightly yoga pants, no make-up, and the frizzy-mom-ponytail.
As I was working, I noticed a slight burning smell. After ignoring it as long as I possibly could, I began to walk around to sniff the outlets and lamps. I headed downstairs to check the toaster and oven. Walking up and down the stairs a few times, I never could find any source of the smell but was certain something smelled funny.
I wasn’t worried about a gas leak and there didn’t seem to be anything actually burning, so I decided to call the non-emergency line at the local fire station. The nice man who answered said they were having a shift change in a few minutes and he would be happy to “ask someone to swing by and take a look-see on their way home”.
Cool.
Not five minutes later, all heck broke loose.
When I say I heard sirens, I mean it sounded like a parade coming down my street. There were fire trucks, fire station pick-up trucks, and even a couple of fire cars. (I had no idea this was actually a thing, but our town apparently has them. So they came too.)
Our cul-de-sac was FULL of fire vehicles, all blasting their sirens and flashing their lights.
The firemen jumped off the trucks and RAN to my front door. I opened the door with my mouth hanging open, already wondering what the neighbors would think, and was told to get out of my house. I grabbed my children and rushed out to the street (still in that spectacular outfit), wondering what could possibly be going on. A crowd of properly-dressed neighbors began to fill the street.
All of the fire fighters rushed into my house to find the cause of the burning smell. They seemed certain that something was about to burst into flames and they were determined to save our house.
Up and down the stairs they ran, in and out of closets, crawl spaces, and attic areas. I stood in the street, holding my babies, with tears in my eyes as I thought of everything we might lose.
Then.
Finally.
The entire 742 men (well that’s what it felt like) emerged from my house. They were much calmer as they walked over to me to explain what they found.
So my HVAC system? That seemed to be working just fine?
Well, it needed a bit of maintenance, turns out.
Not the great fire disaster I was imagining, thank goodness. But a problem all the same.
I thanked the fire fighters profusely. And apologized for wasting their time. I laughed with the neighbors (haha! so funny! Silly me!).
And I promised to immediately start following through on those maintenance issues we’d neglected for years.
The fire fighters were very kind and understanding. And then, thankfully, they left with their lights and sirens turned off.
So. Lesson learned. At my expense. Take it from me, kids.
As it turns out, it is important to make sure you maintain your HVAC system. Whether you want to make sure your babies are cool and comfortable in the summer or cozy and warm in the winter.
Or even if you just want to avoid being mortified in front of the entire town.
Check your HVAC.
Or, because I barely know what “HVAC” stands for, I had the experts handle it for me. The specialists at Sears Home Services were happy to help us and even came to our house for a free no-obligation consultation.
Not sure how your HVAC system is doing?
The holiday season is a bad time for the furnace to stop working. If you’ve started to notice that you’re adjusting your thermostat constantly or that your system runs all of the time, you may need to have your system checked.
Also, be on the lookout for an unexplained increase in your utility bill or if you notice that one floor is always warmer/cooler than the other. These may be signs that you need HVAC maintenance as well.
Easy Improvements for a Dream Home
If your heating or cooling system needs maintenance or repair, Sears Home Services can help. HVAC checkups can keep your system running at its best, helping to prevent costly repairs and making your system more energy efficient. Sears Home Services HVAC experts repair and maintain all major types and brands of heating and whole house cooling systems so you can be sure you’ve hired the right team for the job.
Not sure if you need to replace the entire system? Contact Sears Home Services for a free consultation. If you do need to repair or replace your system, there are some awesome deals available right now to save you money! You can save $40 on repair or preventive maintenance, $325 on a new HVAC system, or save with the Sears HVAC Savings Program. (More info below!)
Take advantage of these great deals and make sure your house will be cozy and comfortable this winter! Partner with the house experts at Sears Home Services and you’ll enjoy peace of mind in your home this holiday season.
Save Now at Sears
Save $40 on HVAC Repair and Preventive Maintenance:
Click for more information on HVAC Repair and Maintenance.
Additional charge for filters, parts and labor for repair. Offer good on residential units only. Price valid per condensing or heating unit. Excludes swamp coolers, whole house fans, and geothermal units. Tax not included. Not valid with any other offer. Void if copied, transferred and where prohibited by law. Any other use constitutes fraud. Cash value 1/20c. Coupon code: HVAC40. Offer expires 11/30/18. Through the HVAC Savings Program ™, qualified, paid HVAC repairs and maintenance earn dollar-for-dollar savings towards a future HVAC replacement from Sears, up to 10% of the new unit purchase price, and the savings never expire.
Save $325 on a new HVAC system:
Click for more information or to schedule a free in-home consultation.
Save $325 on new HVAC purchase of $1,500 or more. Offer expires 02/02/19. Not valid on prior sales or in combination with any other offer. Purchase requirement before taxes and after other discounts and must be made in a single transaction.
Save with the HVAC Savings Program
Click for more information about the HVAC Savings Program.
- Through the HVAC Savings Program ™, qualified, paid HVAC repairs and maintenance earn dollar-for-dollar savings towards a future HVAC replacement from Sears, up to 10% of the new unit purchase price, and the savings never expire.
- Sears Home Services’ HVAC Savings Program is free to join, and your savings are automatic. Every paid HVAC repair and maintenance performed by Sears Home Services automatically credits to your account (as of January 1, 2016). And your balance is waiting for you when you’re ready for a new HVAC system.
- Homeowners can earn dollar-for-dollar credits towards a new HVAC system with qualified paid HVAC repair or maintenance from Sears Home Services.
- How it works: dollar-for-dollar spent on any HVAC repair and maintenance service earns you a savings credit that can be used when purchasing a new HVAC system from Sears Home Services—up to 10% off the purchase price. And savings credits can be combined with other offers and coupons.
Additional charge for filters, parts and labor for repair. Offer good on residential units only. Price valid per condensing or heating unit. Excludes swamp coolers, whole house fans, and geothermal units. Tax not included. Not valid with any other offer. Void if copied, transferred and where prohibited by law. Any other use constitutes fraud. Cash value 1/20c. Coupon code: HVAC40. Offer expires 11/30/18. Through the HVAC Savings Program ™, qualified, paid HVAC repairs and maintenance earn dollar-for-dollar savings towards a future HVAC replacement from Sears, up to 10% of the new unit purchase price, and the savings never expire.
Sara Zielinski says
These look like great home improvements.
Kelly Hanley says
This looks great!
Lisa says
Everything looks really nice.
Calvin says
Nice effective improvements without the hassle.
Jacquelyn Cannon says
Great article on the importance of having your HVAC furnace checked. I usually have mine checked once a year.
Lorna Webster says
Great advice, so many of us forget about the maintenance and small additions!
michelle tremblett says
I just made my HVAC maintenance appointment today, I find the furnace coming on way more often than it should so hopefully it will be a simple checkup and solution 🙂
Florence Cochrane says
Nice to have the HVAC furnace checked. Better be safe than sorry. Love your improvements.
Alanna Watt says
Great pointers on an often neglected, yet vital part of the home!
Brianna Cavins says
Awesome deals! I’ll have to look into this!
Laurence Price says
This is an informative article. Thanks for sharing.
Amber says
Thanks for taking us through this – when we had to repair our HVAC system it was so costly!
Donnas says
It’s important to have someone check your HVAC when you have a season change. It does save you a lot of peace of mind.
Natalie says
I should really schedule a HVAC checkup!
Dana Rodriguez says
We have ours checked a couple of times a year. It is really important to do so.
Cathy French says
I’m glad nothing major was going on and you were able to have your’s serviced for maintenance. BTW the pics of the home are beautiful
Pat B says
Good information to have. You really don’t want to turn on the furnace without having the system checked out. And make sure to change the air filter as recommended.
Calvin says
Lots of home improvement for us.. I think we can do it step by step really helpful tips. Definitely some that aren’t often paid attention to