On Groundhog Day this year, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. That means we’re supposed to get 6 more weeks of winter, much to the chagrin of people in the northeast.
But before you get too disappointed, just how accurate are Phil’s “predictions?” Can a groundhog in Pennsylvania really affect your heating in Montclair, NJ?
Let’s take a look at just how accurate Phil’s prognostications are.
Although you shouldn’t decide on whether to get heater maintenance based on whether a groundhog sees his shadow, we’ll also discuss the many benefits of heater maintenance.
Groundhog Day in a Nutshell
Groundhog Day stems from a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition and ceremonies are held all over Canada and the US. The most famous and highly attended ceremony is obviously in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and the star of the show is the beloved groundhog, Phil.
The tradition states that if Phil sees his shadow (in other words, if it’s sunny that day), it means six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, supposedly spring will come early.
Just How Accurate Are Phil’s Predictions?
Groundhog Day has been celebrated and recorded since 1887! Since then, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has held firm to their belief that Phil’s predictions have been accurate.
However, other sources have confirmed that Phil’s not that great at predicting future weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that only 39% of Phil’s prognostications are accurate. It’s a good thing he’s so cute.
What Can Groundhog Day Tell Us About Heater Maintenance?
Here’s a fact about Groundhog Day that you can count on to tell you something about your heating system. Groundhog Day falls about halfway between the December solstice and the March equinox.
Or in the world of HVAC, about halfway through the heating season. That means if you haven’t had heating system maintenance in the last year, there’s no time like the present to get it done.
The Heater Maintenance Myth
Many people believe that heater maintenance has to occur before the heating season even starts. Although that’s the ideal time to do it, your heater will benefit from maintenance at any time during the heating season. This is especially true if you haven’t had your heater maintained in a while.
Heater Maintenance Facts
Here are some of the many benefits of mid-season heater maintenance:
- Reduce the likelihood of repairs: Avoid unexpected repairs or even worse–a total breakdown in the system–through maintenance. It’s estimated that 85% of repairs a heater may need during its lifetime can be avoided through regular maintenance!
- Save energy: Did you know that when a heater is maintained regularly, it’ll operate at a rate of 95% efficiency?
- Extend the lifespan of your heater: Supposedly Phil is fed some magical juice that extends his life. Well, annual maintenance is the best way to help your heater reach the tail end of a heater’s life expectancy of 15-20 years.
Contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. to schedule heater maintenance today.