Heater repairs are definitely not something you want to skip out on. Prioritizing heater repairs at the first sign that something is wrong goes a long way toward keeping your heater working at its best all season long.
In fact, prioritizing heater repair in Lincoln, CA is one of the best ways to ensure that you don’t have any unexpected surprises in the coming winter season. You can keep reading to learn about three of the most obvious signs that indicate your furnace needs some TLC.
1. Lack of Airflow
There are a variety of signs that can point to a lack of airflow into or out of your heater. If you hold your hand up to any of the vents around your home, you should feel a strong stream of airflow when your heater is on for a cycle. If the airflow is hot but weak, contributing problems may include:
- A dirty air filter blocking airflow into your heater
- Damaged ductwork allowing heat to escape
- A blockage preventing airflow from exiting the system
A blockage of any kind is likely to result in a high-pitched whistling sound. As airflow tries to move past a blockage, the high pressure will create a whistle when the air is pushed through a small opening. One example of this is a clogged air filter.
If you leave a dirty air filter in place for too long, the fiber won’t allow air to pass through because they are filled with dirt particles. As your heater strains to bring air into the system to heat, the filter may bow in against the pull. Air may whistle as it squeezes in past small gaps around the filter as it bends. The same thing can happen around any type of blockage inside the system.
2. Questionable Sounds
Aside from whistling, you may hear any number of concerning sounds coming from your heater, including:
- Banging
- Rumbling
- Booming
- Scraping
- Humming
- Hissing
- Squealing
- Popping
Keep in mind that concerning sounds are not always loud and obvious. In fact, sometimes they are so quiet you may not even notice them. If your heater is struggling to turn on for a heating cycle it may click over and over again during the effort.
While the sound may be persistent, it is quiet enough that you’ll miss it if you aren’t paying attention. Anytime you think something is wrong with your heater, call for service. It’s better to be safe than to face an unexpected breakdown.
3. Changes in Performance
Other examples of changes in performance could be that your heater turns on and stays on for an extended period of time. This can indicate an issue with the thermostat signaling for your unit to turn off at the end of a cycle. Or maybe your heater is struggling to heat your home enough and is staying on for longer in an attempt to heat your home.
If your heater turns off after only a couple of minutes, there may be a safety sensor triggering. Either there are unsafe conditions in your heater or the sensor is malfunctioning. Safety issues need to be addressed to prevent overheating, and sensor malfunctions need to be fixed so your heater can work properly.
Contact Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort, Inc. today to schedule your heater repair services as soon as possible. You can always trust The Guys in the Big Red Trucks.