Telltale Signs You Need a Heating Repair
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Posted January 3, 2020
Winter is just around the corner. Your heater will determine whether you’ll have a dreadful winter or a merry Christmas. Heaters are very delicate; as such, they need regular maintenance to work effectively. Your heater could malfunction right in the middle of winter. When it does, it could set off a huge wave of panic in the family. Unfortunately, winter isn’t such an active season. You may have to freeze for a while before the heating repair services get to you.
To avoid such a scenario, why not address the issue beforehand. Pay keen attention to these signs to arrange for heating repair before it’s too late. Understandably, these signs aren’t too overt, and it’s easy to ignore them until it’s too late. This piece will highlight telltale signs that your heater needs professional repair.
Signs Your Home Might Need Heating Repair
Telling whether a heating system needs repair is not rocket science. It is, however, difficult for the average person to spot a flaw in the heating system. Most of these signs are inconspicuous, and you can easily overlook them.
If you don’t want to be in a fix during winter, here are some signs that your heating system needs repairs ASAP.
1. Outrageously High Power Bills
When your electricity bills are off the charts, then it could be your heater. When your gas bill also goes inexplicably high, it could indicate a heater malfunction.
Over time, your heating system is bound to become less efficient. This reduced efficiency means your heater may take longer to get the house to the right temperature.
Take note that utility companies may gradually raise their rates. When your bill shoots up drastically, however, then it is a cause for alarm.
So when your power bills skyrocket, then it might be time for a professional heating repair.
2. Your Burner Flame Turns Yellow
We’re all used to the blue gas furnace burner flame. When the burner flame is yellow instead of blue, then it could underscore something wrong with your heater.
A yellow flame indicates the presence of carbon monoxide in your home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas.
Carbon monoxide is very dangerous in excess— too much carbon monoxide is a metabolic poison. It is, therefore, important to address this issue immediately.
When you notice your gas furnace flame turning yellow contact heater repair services immediately. Thankfully, addressing this issue isn’t so difficult or time-consuming.
Inexplicable flu-like symptoms are also a carbon monoxide indicator.
If you feel dizziness or fatigue when at home, then vacate your home immediately. Contact your heater repair company to address the issue.
3. Strange Noises from Your Furnace
Old heating systems are prone to occasional rattling, banging and creaking. If your heating system starts making noise, don’t call the Ghostbusters. Instead, call your heater repair guy.
Squealing could indicate problems with your system’s motor bearings. Rattling means your blower assembly or motor needs some checking.
You may hear loud rattling when you fan starts up. This rattling is very annoying and is never a good show for the guests.
So when your heating system makes strange noises, you need to check it out. Unless you have rats, then you’ll need another professional.
It is important to address these strange noises quickly before they get out of hand. These noises could also lead to more serious problems with the heater.
4. You have to Adjust Your Thermostat Constantly
Getting up too many times to adjust your thermostat could indicate something wrong. You may have trouble getting the right temperature in some rooms.
If you can’t get the temperature right after several tries, then let the thermostat be. You should divert your attention to your heating system itself instead.
The furnace may not be distributing heat evenly across the rooms. That’s why some rooms may feel warm and others a bit chilly.
You need to address this issue quickly to prevent it from getting worse.
5. The Age of Your Heating System
Just like any machine, a heating system is bound to wear. Typically, the life expectancy of a heater is between 15 to 25 years.
A pilot light is a great way to tell if your system if old. If your heater has a pilot light, you could be looking at a 25-year-old system.
An old heating system is very likely to break down. It is also inefficient and could be the reason why your bills are so high.
You might need some heater repairs or a complete overhaul of the entire system. It’s never a bad idea to upgrade your heater, especially if it has served for over 20 years.
Don’t wait for winter to get an upgrade. Upgrade your heating system today.
6. Too Many Replacements in a Short Time
Heater repairs are nothing unusual. But if you find yourself replacing too many components too soon, then the heater may have a serious problem.
For older systems, heater repairs aren’t difficult. Finding replacements parts, however, is pretty hard. Ultimately, it makes more sense to settle for an entire system upgrade.
Too many replacements mean your system needs some serious repair work. Buying replacement parts too frequently isn’t good for your bank account.
Have heater repair services look at your system once and for all and forget having to buy too many replacement parts.
You can also arrange for a heating system upgrade. An upgrade will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your home’s heating. It will also save you a lot of money on repairs over time.
7. When It Has Short Cycles
Short cycling is when your heater goes on and off intermittently. It is up to the thermostat to regulate your home’s temperature.
When your heating system goes on and off, then off again, inadvertently, that can’t be the thermostats. Instead, it could indicate a serious malfunction in the heating system.
Short cycling occurs when the heat exchanger overheats. This overheating causes the entire system to shut down. The system turns on again when the exchanger cools down.
When your heater has short cycles, then it’s high time to call your heater repair person. Otherwise, you may be in for a very chillier than usual winter.
8. Quality of Air Decreases at Home
Air quality is not something you can see. Sometimes your house air may get too stuffy or hazy without good reason. Well, the reason is, your heating system needs repair.
Flawed furnaces are notorious for circulating dust, mildew spores, and allergens. If you notice a spike in respiratory illnesses in your family, then the heater could be the problem.
You could try changing the filter of your furnace first. If it’s damaged, you can replace it yourself instead of calling in a professional. Also, as a matter of routine maintenance, you should check the filter every month.
That said, sometimes the problem is more than just the filter. You’re better off having professionals take a look at it.
When you notice a gradual decrease in your air quality, you know who to call.
9. When Your Pilot Light Turns Yellow
A yellow pilot light is never good news. A furnace that is in good working condition will have a blue pilot light flame.
A yellow, orange, red, purple, or green flame is a bad sign. These colors indicate that your furnace has too much condensates like tar and rust.
These substances hamper the efficiency of your heater. In excess, they could also be harmful to your health.
10. You Have to Turn up the Heat Too High
If you need to crank up the heat too high to be warm, then you have a heater problem. You may find that your heater doesn’t keep you warm at the typical temperature setting.
Don’t rush to the doctor. It’s not your health; it’s the furnace that needs a check-up. This means your furnace is not running as efficiently as it should.
You should arrange for a heater repair as soon as you can. Doing so will save you a bundle in utility bills for having an inefficient heating system.
You shouldn’t have to turn up your heat too unreasonable levels just to keep from freezing.
11. Uneven Temperatures and Cold Spots
Uneven temperatures in your house are a definite red flag. Some heating systems might work like a charm in some rooms and barely work at all in others.
Uneven temperatures in the house could mean a myriad of problems in the heating system. These problems range from improper insulation to ductwork problems. Whatever the issue is, it is important to have it checked out immediately.
You only have two options in this scenario. One, contact your heater repair person or squeeze everyone in the two or three rooms with proper heating during winter.
12. When It’s Been Ages Since Your Last Heater Inspection
Your heating system needs inspections regularly without fail. For most folks, heater inspections are an urban legend. It never works well for their heating systems ultimately.
Remember, always schedule your heater for regular inspection. These inspections may end up saving you a lot in future repair costs. Typical inspections won’t take more than thirty minutes.
Do yourself and your family a favor and book an inspection today before winter starts.
What to Do When Your Heater Stops Working Suddenly
When you’re a little too late in addressing these issues, your heater may abruptly stop working. If this happens, there are a couple of things you could try before the repair guys arrive. Here is what to do when your heater suddenly stops working.
You first need to establish the root of the problem.
- Check your thermostat to make sure it is in heat mode. Maybe you just didn’t set the thermostat right.
- Check your thermostat batteries. Maybe your thermostat needs a quick battery change and you’re good to go.
- Is the furnace even on, to begin with. Grandma may have forgotten to turn the furnace on in the first place. Check the furnace switch usually found in the furnace’s cabinet, make sure it’s on.
- Check the circuit breaker. Ensure the circuit breaker is on, and it hasn’t tripped.
- Check the fuse on the main switch. Ensure the furnace power is off in the first place. Check whether the fuse has blown or not. If it has, replace the fuse as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you do all these and nothing works, you might need to contact a heater repair expert quickly. This is especially the case if the heater turns off after you’ve noticed the signs we’ve discussed above.
Get Your Heating System Inspected Today!
Most people wait until winter to get their heating system inspected. Regular inspections are imperative to a properly functioning heater.
Hopefully, you know how to spot any flaws in your heater that may warrant a heater repair. When you’re fed up with having to repair your heater after every few weeks, it might be about time to get a complete heating system revamp.
You might also want to get acquainted with heating systems’ best maintenance practices, including how to protect your heating system from snow and ice.
If you need any heating repair, revamps, or installation, contact us today and never run the risk of having cold feet during the winter.
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