March 30, 2020

Having a heater for your place is essential. Whether you buy or rent a heater depends on a variety of circumstances. Some heaters can be quite expensive, so it’s vital to think about your options before you make a final decision.

Here are a few tips to help you decide or you should buy or rent a heater for your place.

Is the heater for a permanent or temporary residence? 

Do you rent an apartment, or do you pay a mortgage on a home or condo that you have purchased? Whether you own or rent your place will help you decide on renting or buying a heater. If the place you’re living in right now is only temporary, then renting a heater is your best bet. You will save money, and when you move, you don’t have to worry about lugging the heater with you. You can simply return the heater to the heater rental company.

If you live in a more permanent location, buying a heater will be better for you. If you intend on living in your home or condo for many years to come, you should invest in a heater that will make your living space more comfortable and livable.

How large is the space you need the heater for? 

Do you need a heater for your entire house or just for a small room? In the long run, it is better to invest your money and purchase a large heater for your home. Renting a heater for your home will cost you a lot of money in the long term and just isn’t sustainable – your electricity bill will be through the roof!

If you only need a heater for a small room, renting may be the better option because it will most likely save you some money. A small heater for a small room isn’t something that is going to cost you lots of money.

Do you need the heater because of an emergency? 

In an emergency, a heater rental is your best bet. A local rental company will be able to bring you the heater right away, which will make the situation less dire. For example, if you have your family over for a visit and your heater has stopped working, you should go ahead and rent a heater right away. You will save time and money, and your family will be very happy. In any emergency, renting a heater will be quick, simple, and of course cheaper than buying a brand-new one.

Renting a heater will always be quicker than buying one, because you may have to wait for a brand-new one to be delivered to you. While this convenience factor is important, make sure you have the budget to rent a heater. Because most of these rental heaters must be plugged into an outlet, they use a lot of electricity and may make your bills a little higher than usual.

Is your current heater broken, or just needs repairs? 

If your current heater has broken suddenly, you shouldn’t immediately go buy a brand-new one. You should find out if your heater can be repaired and decide if fixing the heater is worth it. While you’re figuring that out, it’s a good idea to rent a heater in the meantime. Your house, apartment or whatever location that is currently without a heater will need an immediate solution.

If you decide that it’s not worth it to repair your current heater, you’ll eventually need to purchase a new one. Until then, you can continue to rent a heater at your convenience. The new heater you decide to purchase may be coming in the mail via delivery or may take a few days for the heater company to come to install it. Heater rentals are great for times like those.

Does your landlord allow heaters? 

If you live in an apartment building, there is a chance that your landlord may prohibit some types of heaters. Some space heaters can be dangerous and your landlord may be concerned about a potential fire. Before you rent or buy a heater, you should speak to your landlord first to make sure they are allowed in your apartment building. This is especially important if you are buying a heater because you don’t want to waste a lot of money on something you won’t even be able to use.

Does the Current Weather Affect Your Decision? 

If it is currently summertime, you may not need to worry about buying or renting a heater right now. If your heater is broken and you know you will need a new one for the upcoming cold weather, you can use this interim of time to save some money. Buying a heater can be pretty expensive and renting one can be expensive if you rent for a long period of time. Whether you decide to buy or rent, you can use the summertime to save money so you can get the perfect heater for your home or apartment.

Overall Safety 

If you decide to rent a heater, you will need to think about the overall safety of the people you live with. Do you have young children? If so, you will need to be extra careful with a space heater. While some space heaters are battery-powered, there are some that you need to plug into an outlet to use. These can be hazardous for young children, so choose which space heater you rent wisely.

Do You Have Other Questions About Buying or Renting a Heater? Contact Preferred Climate Solutions Today!

Our team of heating and cooling experts is ready to help you buy or rent a heater. We can help you with any heat or air conditioning problems you have, and we are available 24/7 for HVAC issues. Our staff is well-trained and very experienced, and we are looking forward to working with you. Click here or give us a call at 888-466-7180.

Maintaining the air filter on your heater will make the heater last for a long time and it will keep it working properly. Here are some easy steps for how you can maintain your heater’s air filter.

Clean Them Regularly 

Air filters need to be cleaned in order to continue to work properly. Of course, you should check to see if there are directions with your particular air filter regarding its cleaning. Some air filters have specific cleaning instructions. Otherwise, you can vacuum air filters and use a damp cloth to clean them. If you notice that your air filters are particularly dusty or dirty, it would be best to replace them instead of continuing to clean them. Sometimes air filters are too dirty to use again.

Replace Them Regularly 

Heater air filters need to be replaced regularly. All different types of heaters have different filters, so make sure you purchase the right one. As a general rule, you should change one and two-inch filters every three months, four-inch filters every six months, and five-inch filters once a year. In some cases, you may need to change filters more frequently. If the filter is visibly dirty, the heater is running very frequently, or you notice a strange smell coming from the heater, you should change the air filter right away.

Do Not Smoke in Your Home 

Smoking in your home on a consistent basis will create a residue that will stick to your air filter. If you have multiple people smoking in your home, it will be even worse. If you want your air filter to last for a decent amount of time, avoid smoking indoors. People who smoke indoors usually need to change their air filters three times as often as people who do not smoke.

Do Not Frequently Leave Windows and Doors Open 

Leaving windows and doors open all the time will allow dirt and debris into your home, which will stick to your air filter and prevent it from working properly. This will shorten the life of your air filter very quickly. If you want your air filter to last, try to remember to close your doors and windows after coming inside for the day. Leaving doors and windows open for a short time is okay but doing so for a long period of time will have a negative effect on your air filter.

Do Not Leave Your Heater Fan Running

The longer you leave your heater fan running, the more often you will have to change your air filter. Try to remember to turn off the heater fan unless you absolutely need to have it on. By doing this, you will preserve the life of the air filter and your overall heater.

Clean Your Home Regularly

Excessive dirt and dust can clog your air filter very quickly. Cleaning your home regularly will prevent the air filter from getting dirty and needing to be replaced. Air filters should last for at least a month at minimum, and ideally, they should last for three months. Cleaning your home will lengthen the lifespan of your air filter and will help you avoid changing it too often.

Avoid Lots of Pet Fur 

If you have dogs and cats that shed their fur, then you should vacuum at least once or twice a week. Excessive fur can get into an air filter and clog it, which will stop it from working. While you can vacuum your air filter and get most of the fur off, it’s not good to vacuum the air filter every single day. It’s a better idea to vacuum your floors and furniture to prevent the fur from getting into the air filter in the first place.

Check on Your Air Filter 

Every so often, take a look at your air filter and make sure it looks okay. This small, but vital detail of your home can be easy to forget about, so maybe write this task down on a to-do list or put an alarm for it in your phone. Check on your air filter to make sure that it’s not dirty, ripped, or damaged in any way. Doing this can prevent accidents from happening and will ensure that you and your family are safe.

Maintain Overall Ductwork in Your Home 

The ductwork in your home is the pipe system that runs both hot and cold air through your home. They run from your heater or your air conditioning unit to all of the vents in your house so that way you can adjust the overall temperature in your home.

Maintaining the ductwork in your house is an essential aspect of keeping your air filter working properly. If dirt and debris remain in the ducts, then it will be in the air that goes through the filter and flows through the rest of your home. To ensure that your ductwork is clean and working properly, you should schedule an annual appointment with a duct service company. These companies specialize in ductwork and will be able to clean them and take care of any repairs. If you take care of this annually, you can be confident that you air filter won’t get clogged.

Don’t Forget About Overall Heater Maintenance 

The air filter on your heater is a small, but essential part of your heater. The heater is a vital part of your home and well-being, and its annual maintenance will ensure that it continues to work properly. You should have a heater specialist take a look at your heater once a year or even every six months just to be safe. If there is a problem with any part of the heater, including the air filter, the heater specialist will be able to repair it or suggest that you purchase a new heater.

Contact Preferred Climate Solutions today!

Do you have any other air filter questions? Contact Preferred Climate Solutions today. Our team of heating and cooling experts is ready to work with you. Click here or give us a call at 888-466-7180.