We may have just talked about air conditioners in our last post, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your heater in these final weeks of winter. Sure, we are definitely not experiencing the severe winter conditions that other parts of the country have in recent days. But no matter how long or how frequently you need your heater, you need it to be in good shape when it operates! So, what kind of shape is yours in?
If you don’t know the answer to this question, then this blog post is definitely for you. Hopefully, you had professional maintenance done this past fall. That will ensure that your system works as efficiently and effectively as it’s meant to. Even if you did not, however, it’s not too late! Scheduling maintenance now will allow our technicians to check for the repair needs we’re about to mention.
If you aren’t sure of how to tell if your heater needs repair as we near the end of the season, read on! We’ve uncovered some of the top indicators.
Loud or Unfamiliar Noises
If you have a furnace for your heating needs, you’re going to hear some noise from it as it operates. However, long or persistent noises aren’t normal. If you hear clicking as your furnace cycles off for example, it can be the sign of a cracked heat exchanger.
If you hear rattling, screeching, or hissing, these can be signs of loose or damaged components. If you have a heat pump or boiler system rather than a furnace, you should still be aware and alert to odd sounds coming from the unit.
Strange Smells
At the beginning of the heating season, it’s natural to smell a very slight burning odor as your furnace cycles on for the first time. What’s happening is that dust and dirt that settled on the coils and burners has to burn off.
If, however, you detect new burning odors this far into the heating season, it’s a clear indication of a problem. Please shut off your furnace, for safety reasons, and then give our team a call right away.
A Lack of Warmth
Have you put your hand to a vent or two only to discover that the air coming from them is not warm? Or at least, not as warm as it used to be or should be. Your furnace has one job, so this can understandably be a very frustrating problem.
In some cases, a lack of warmth from a heater is the sign of ductwork damage, or even a miscalibrated thermostat. If this is the case for your furnace, it’s something you’ll want to take care of before you start using your air conditioner, because these problems will impact your cooling efforts too.
Higher Than Average Heating Bills
Take a look at your energy bills. Are they higher than they were this same time last year? How about in comparison to what your neighbors are paying? If you notice that your heating bills are higher than average, then there’s a good chance that something is causing the furnace to work inefficiently.
We can help! We want you to be comfortable, at an affordable price.
For a professional and reliable HVAC contractor in Sacramento, contact “The Guys in the Big Red Trucks”—Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort, Inc.