Furnace repair is not a concern for only homeowners. As a business person, you don’t need only ac to make your space comfortable. You also need a furnace. And your furnace repair can have a lot of impact on your business. The downtime caused by your furnace can impact your business productivity, employee effectiveness, and employee comfort. In this blog, we’ll be discussing how furnace repair can influence your business and impact your business operation, ultimately affecting customer satisfaction.
Let’s get started!
Key Highlights
- Furnace repair is crucial for businesses as it can directly impact productivity and employee comfort.
- If you are making use of a gas furnace, evacuate the area first in cases of leaking gas.
- Furnace repair, if not properly handled, can affect your brand image
- Repairing your furnace immediately is a better cost effective option than delayed repair.
Understanding the Impact of Furnace Downtime on Your Business
Considering what your business furnace accomplishes for you during the winter cold, gives you an idea of what it feels like when it’s faulty. Let’s show you exactly how a faulty furnace can impact your business.
1. The direct cost of unplanned downtime
Now this is the one noticeable the most, probably because its impact is direct. When your furnace gets faulty, you’ll have to fix it because you can’t afford to have your employees work in an unfavorable environment. If it stopped working during the winter cold, you’ll need to call for emergency repair service from our team of furnace repair technicians, who are trained to handle any type of HVAC system. This can be expensive, depending on the fault the furnace developed. This unexpected expense can distort your budget and lead to a major adjustment, especially if it requires furnace replacements or fixing a major malfunction in your HVAC system, such as a malfunctioning pilot light, resulting in an unexplained increase in energy bills.
2. Employee morale breakdown
A faulty furnace doesn’t only cause physical discomfort. It can also be mental. Take it or not, working in an uncomfortable environment can take a toll on the mental health of your workers. Still having to deal with winter cold when in a supposed office (that’s obviously meant to be warm) can add unnecessary anxiety and frustration to your workers. All of these break the morale of your employees. In a worst-case scenario, it can even lead to the illness of your workers, leading to absences and more disruption to work.
3. Effect on employee comfort
Although this might not have an instant impact as the direct cost of furnace repair might have. But it’s probably the scariest impact. A malfunctioning furnace can also impact the indoor air quality of your commercial space, and that too can lead to a sick building syndrome. It can cause respiratory issues and increase allergies. When your employee’s comfort and morale are disturbed, the ripple effect shows on the productivity of your business. This can be exacerbated if the ductwork is not properly maintained and cleaned, as dirty furnace filters can lead to poor air quality and further health issues for employees. And on the worst scenario, a high employee turnover, which has a way of negatively influencing businesses. Rather than dealing with an escalation, it’s best you reach out to reliable furnace repair service immediately.
4. Customer confidence chill
If your business is one that experiences a high amount of customer traffic, one way you can reduce that traffic is by running your business with a malfunctioning furnace that’s still yet to be repaired. Winter cold is uncomfortable and no one loves discomfort. There are so many other competitors out there your customers can go to, and you don’t want to lose your precious customers to competitors. To keep them coming, you need to keep your space warm by ensuring that your furnace is functioning properly and not hindered by a clogged filter, which can restrict the flow of air and negatively impact your cooling system and vents. Or else, you should brace up for the negative impact it can bring to your brand image.
Steps to Take When Your Furnace Breaks Down Unexpectedly
The truth is that some things are just unforeseen. And a furnace breakdown is one of them. As it has already happened, you need to know how to manage the situation properly without being hit so much by the impacts it brings alongside. Here are some steps to take when your furnace breaker trips unexpectedly, causing short cycling, and you are not getting any warm air due to potential issues with the wiring:
- Ensure safety: We decided to put this first because safety is of top priority. We hope you consider it first as well. If you smell gas or suspect gas leaks, you and your employees should all evacuate the premises immediately. Then contact your gas utility company afterward.
- Check the basics: Before you call the expert, check the basics, it could be the thermostat isn’t set correctly, or the circuit breaker is not tripped, or the furnace itself is switched off, or it might just br a common furnace problem
- Call the emergency repair service: If you’ve checked the basics, but nothing seems wrong on the surface, but the furnace is still a problem, then you reach out to a reliable furnace expert for emergency repair. Provide them with relevant information and book a quick appointment with them.
- Communicate with employees and customers: As you await the experts, make sure you properly communicate with your employees and your customers about the furnace issue and what you’ve done so far to ensure the issue doesn’t last long. If possible, provide an alternative heating option.
By taking these steps, you can ensure immediate actions are taken towards the issue, and your business doesn’t get the full impact of such a bummer.
Immediate Repair vs. Delay
Immediate repair is the best response to a faulty furnace, whether it is an electric or gas furnace. The longer it stays faulty, the shorter its lifespan, and the more it costs you. In this section, we will be comparing the cost savings of immediate furnace repair versus delay. Here is an example of such a case study:
Case Study: Cost Savings of Immediate Repair vs. Delay
Repair Scenario | Immediate Repair | Delayed Repair |
Utility Bill | Decreased energy consumption due to improved furnace efficiency. | Increased energy consumption due to furnace inefficiency. |
Repair Costs | Minor repair costs due to addressing issues promptly. | Major repair costs as issues escalate and require more extensive repairs. |
Operational Efficiency | Minimal disruption to business operations. | Increased downtime and decreased productivity. |
In this case study, businesses that opted for immediate furnace repair experienced cost savings in terms of utility bills and repair costs. Additionally, their operational efficiency remained intact with minimal disruptions. On the other hand, businesses that delayed repair faced increased energy consumption, higher repair costs, and decreased operational efficiency.
This case study highlights the financial and operational benefits of addressing furnace issues promptly and avoiding delays in repair.
What Should I Do If My Furnace Stops Working During Operating Hours?
If your furnace stops working during operating hours, follow your business’s emergency protocol if there is one in place. In general, immediate actions should include checking the thermostat settings, ensuring the circuit breaker is on, and calling an HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the issue promptly.
Conclusion
A broken furnace during winter cold can ruin your business in ways you can’t think of. It’s advisable to get it fixed immediately when it gets on the fritz to avoid any escalation. Reaching out for an emergency repair service from experienced furnace repair specialists is the best option you have. Theres, no point double thinking it.
Over here in Arizona, Morehart Air Conditioning and heating is your go to furnace repair expert. We are well kitted for emergency furnace repair and regular maintenance even at odd hours. We have the experience to handle every HVAC problems. Varying from heat pump issues to an issue with your overall heating system. We can also guide you through the process of purchasing a new furnace, if necessary. You can also stay ahead of potential issues by being proactive and prepared with our professional cooling and furnace service. Get in touch with us today.