Winter is here, but we still haven’t seen the coldest temperatures of the year yet. When the coldest weather arrives, you’ll want to make sure that your heater is working at its best to keep your home warm. Nobody wants to call for an emergency heater repair. You need reliability! It’s easy to avoid the inconvenience of a surprise heater breakdown by investing in heater maintenance.
You may not think that heater maintenance is crucial to keeping your unit running, but it is. Problems can begin slowly and quietly without you even realizing that something is wrong. There are some subtle signs you can watch for that can indicate your heater needs repairs. If you notice any of these signs, give us a call for heating repair in Hickory, NC and stay ahead of heater problems this winter.
Heater Smells
The only time your heater may be smelly is when you very first turn it on for the season. That smell should not last for more than 15-20 minutes and then it should go away–and stay away. But if you have a persistent smell coming from your heater or a smell that is new, that’s a problem. There may be a gas leak or something inside causing the unit to overheat. No matter what it is, any unusual smell requires attention.
Turning On
When your heater turns on for a heating cycle, it should start immediately. If you have a pilot light, you should not hear it clicking over and over again in an attempt to ignite. You also should not have to restart your heater throughout the day. It should run on its own to heat your house throughout the day as temperatures fluctuate.
Pilot Light
Speaking of the pilot light, it should always burn bright blue. If the color fades and becomes pale or turns yellow or orange, something is wrong. There may be a problem with ventilation, or there may be too much carbon monoxide. Allowing this problem to continue can mean that carbon monoxide fumes are entering your home instead of exiting through the ventilation system.
No Heat
This may seem like an obvious problem, but if your home still feels comfortable, you may ignore this sign. When you hold your hand up to an air vent, you should feel heat. The air should not feel lukewarm or cool. It should be hot in order to provide adequate heat for your home. When the air isn’t hot, there is definitely something wrong with your heater. Don’t ignore this problem or your heater could stop working altogether, leading to a more costly repair bill.
Heater Sounds
Your heater is not going to run in complete silence, but it also should not be loud or alarming. The sounds that come from your heater should be comparable to white noise. If you hear something loud or surprising, that’s a problem. Parts may be loose or something may be grinding inside your unit. It’s also possible that parts may be malfunctioning and not working right at all.
Thank you for choosing Ace Hardware Home Services. Schedule an appointment today!