4 Signs Your Heating System Needs Repair
As temperatures drop and the days get chilly, your heating system works to keep you and your family comfortable. Especially cold temperatures or unusually long winters can tax your heating system even more. The last thing you want is to unexpectedly walk into an unheated home.
Stay ahead of a total heating breakdown by watching for signs that your system needs servicing. Let’s take a look at the major warning signs that could mean heating repairs are needed.
1. Funny Smells
When you first turn on your heating system, you may smell an odor. It could be dust burning off in the ducts, which is normal. If the smell dissipates after a few hours, it’s most likely not a cause for concern.
If the odd, burning smell doesn’t go away, it could be a sign of a major problem needing repair, like a broken electrical or mechanical part. Damaged parts usually smell like plastic or rubber burning.
First, you can try changing your air filter to see if that helps, since all the dirt and debris caught in an old furnace filter could cause the funky smell.
Don’t ignore a strange smell that persists for more than a few hours after you first turn on your heating system. Also, any odors that happen after the first time you turn on your heater could be a sign it needs attention. Ignoring these signs can result in a total furnace breakdown, or worse, a fire.
2. Clanking, Banging, or Screeching Noises
If your heating system makes clanking or other odd noises, it may be a warning of problems developing. Most heating systems will make some small noises, but if you hear anything unusual or loud, it’s time to call your heating service professional to take a look.
Unusual noises coming from your heating system could mean a part has worn down or loosened, or there may be a belt needing replacement. The faster you have your system looked at, the better the chances of preventing a total failure, which leaves you without heat.
3. Cold Spots
The heat is on, but as you walk around the house, you notice cold spots — areas the heat doesn’t seem to be reaching well. If you check to make sure all the ducts are open, and you still feel cold in certain areas, it’s a sign your system isn’t heating efficiently.
Rooms or spots where it’s too warm may also indicate your system needs repair, and can also cost you more in energy bills. Seasonal heating maintenance can help, but ultimately your system may just not be right for your home.
4. Rising Energy Bills
Once your heating system is in use, if you see a big, unusual jump in energy costs, it may mean your system isn’t working properly. It could also mean your heating system has aged to the point where it can no longer handle the load. To check, look at your energy bills from last year during the same time period, and compare the costs. If something looks off, give us a call.
Schedule Heating Repair in the Raleigh Area
Homeowners call Air Experts to troubleshoot and perform any heating system services they need in the Raleigh area. The weather in the Triangle area is unpredictable in winter, and temperatures can drop quickly, so it’s important to keep your heating system in tiptop shape so your family stays safe and comfortable.
We offer a full range of furnace and heat pump services, including repair, maintenance, and installation to keep your home warm and your loved ones safe.
Don’t wait until your furnace or heat pump fails. It could be much more costly to fix, and you may not be able to live in your home until it’s repaired. Stay vigilant, and call Air Experts at the first sign of any of these issues.
Contact us online or give us a call today to learn more or schedule a service.
