It’s not always easy to know when you need to schedule professional heating repair because of a faulty heating system. Yes, if your heater doesn’t come on at all, you’ll know something is wrong. But often problems with heating systems start small. You have to know what to look for. Spotting these troubles early makes it easier for professionals to repair them and prevent more serious troubles later on, such as your heater failing when you need it the most.
Below, we’re going to look at five key ways you can tell your heater needs professional repairs.
#1 – Abruptly High Energy Bills
The heating system in your home accounts for a large portion of the energy you use each winter. If the heater starts to malfunction, even if it’s not showing outward signs of trouble, it will be forced to use more energy to work than normal. You’ll see this reflected on your bills. We recommend you keep a regular watch on these costs so you can catch when there’s an unexpected rise. The heating system is one of the prime culprits, so have technicians check it out.
#2 – Unusual or Loud Noises
Your heating system shouldn’t make much noise as it runs—modern systems are designed for quieter operation. But if your heater starts to attract your attention with the noise it’s making, it’s likely because of a malfunction like a loose part or a motor wearing down. If the sound is something you’ve never heard before, like a shrieking or buzzing, it’s also a warning that something is wrong.
#3 – Difficulty Finding the Right Thermostat Temperature
Have you noticed recently that you have to fiddle around with the settings on your thermostat to get the house to the right warm temperature? This could indicate something wrong with the thermostat that will need to be repaired (or the unit replaced). But it could also be a problem with the heater itself. Technicians can find the source and see that it’s fixed.
#4 – The Heater Runs in Short Cycles
A heating cycle should last for at least 10–15 minutes, followed by a period of inactivity before the heater needs to run again. A heater that starts running in much shorter cycles, turning on and off multiple times per hour, is said to be short-cycling. There are many different sources for short-cycling, ranging from minor like a clogged air filter to major like an incorrectly sized heating system that has to be replaced. Call professionals to diagnose the short-cycling and solve the problem at its root.
#5 – Uneven Heating in the House
A central heating system that was correctly sized for its home will have no problem evenly spreading heat to all the rooms connected to the ventilation system. When you start to find certain rooms are getting less heat than normal, it may indicate the heating system is losing its heating capacity. It might also be a problem with airflow, leaks in the ductwork, or a mis-calibrated thermostat. If the heater is extremely old, uneven heating often means it’s ready to be replaced.
When you suspect you’ve got a faulty heater, don’t hesitate to call us!
Contact Associated Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. today for fast and effective heating repair.