When temperatures really start to drop -- and make no mistake, that is going to start happening very, very soon -- you need your heater to jump into action and to keep your home warm and comfortable in an efficient and effective manner. Unfortunately, there is no way that you can hope for your heater to function completely reliably. Routine maintenance will keep it as reliable as possible, but the fact of the matter is that all heating systems are subject to occasional operational problems.
When you do encounter problems with your home heating system, the best thing to do is to schedule prompt heating repairs -- and by prompt, we mean as soon as possible. Waiting it out is only going to give any problems with your heater the time that they need to cause more serious damage than they otherwise would. With that in mind, we want to give you a few tips to help you spot the need for heating repair in Hartford, CT.
What to Look For:
That title up there is actually a bit misleading. When it comes to the need for heating repairs, it's not just about looking. You should get all of your senses involved -- and that includes your common sense. Here are a few signs that it may be time to schedule heating repairs.
- You hear strange sounds coming from your heating system. A banging sound could indicate problems with the blower fan, while screeching could mean a fan belt on the verge of demise. Loud booming sounds could indicate delayed ignition problems, which could affect the safety with which your system operates.
- You see a spike in your heating costs. Now, obviously you are going to pay more to heat your home the colder it is and the harder that you run your heater. If you've been heating the same house for at least a few winters now, though, chances are that you have a general idea of what that costs. Inexplicable spikes could indicate problems dragging down energy efficiency.
- You notice your system short cycling. This is when your heater starts up, but runs only briefly before cycling back down. There are a number of potential causes of short cycling. It may just be a dirty filter. If changing a visibly dirty filter does not solve the problem, you could have a faulty thermostat, or your thermocouple could be shutting the system down due to unsafe fuel combustion temperatures.
- You have cold spots throughout your home. When properly sized and professionally installed, your heater should be capable of heating your entire home effectively and evenly. If this is not the case, then you may have damaged air ducts that are leaking heated air out into unconditioned spaces in the house.
- You smell fuel. This is a case in which your safety could definitely be at risk. If you smell a burning odor or the scent of natural gas when heating your home, you need to contact the appropriate authorities immediately. Shut off the heater, exit the house, and get in touch with the local utility if you suspect a gas leak. If you smell burning, contact us to have the situation assessed.
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