During the colder months of the year, including the chilly shoulder seasons, a heating system is critical to the health, safety, and comfort of you and your loved ones. However, if your current heating system is not operating correctly, your family may be in the same position as if there was no heater at all. Take it from The Coop, no one enjoys shivering when they should be toasty warm. Here are 5 common problems a heater can experience and what you can do to solve the problem.
Irritating Sounds Indicating Mechanical Failure
Strange sounds coming from your heating system can certainly be annoying when you’re trying to spend time with your family. There are a plethora of different noises that heaters can make that signal something is amiss. For example, a scraping sound may indicate a loose metal component or a faulty blower wheel, whereas the gas buildup that’s created when turning on your heater can create an audible bang. These noises aren’t just irritating to hear during your day-to-day life, but they can also be systematic of functional errors that may lead to bigger problems. Whatever the case may be, consult a professional heating services and repair expert to take a look at a noisy heater.
Insufficient Heating
One of the most common heater problems in the winter season is a heater’s inability to provide adequate warmth, which can be the worst issue to encounter on a cold night. An inadequately designed system, one that isn’t sized correctly or that doesn’t have enough venting, may not give you the level of comfort you require.
An experienced HVAC Comfort Consultant should be able to inspect your system and identify areas that need improvement and/or replacement.
Uneven Heating
Even if the temperature in one room is nice and warm, you may notice another common heater problem when you leave to make a cup of coffee in your kitchen. Duct work that isn’t balanced properly can result in too much heat in one area and not enough in another. Installation of an additional damper zone in your duct work might enhance heat distribution. Likewise, duct work that has deteriorated over time due to age or rodent damage may need to be mended or replaced. This is often a fairly easy fix for an uncomfortable situation. Even something as benign as a dirty air filter can affect the ability of heat to travel efficiently through the duct system. Visual inspection of your duct work should be a component of yearly preventative maintenance performed by a professional service technician.
Short Cycling
Some heater problems may happen regardless of whether your home has enough heat to keep you comfortable. Furnaces turn off and on in a process known as cycling, but if it happens too frequently, it can result in heater “short cycling.” Often, the culprit is a faulty thermostat or thermostat wiring, or even the location of the thermostat. And again, that overly dirty air filter can be the cause of “short cycling,” decreasing your system’s energy efficiency and in turn, increasing your utility bill, as a result.
Carbon Monoxide Leaks
The most serious heater problem your furnace could have is a carbon monoxide leak caused by a cracked heat exchanger. Created when the heater’s combustion does not function properly, carbon monoxide is a colorless and tasteless gas that is poisonous. Usually, if there is a carbon monoxide leak, either your heater or your chimney is malfunctioning and needs immediate attention by an HVAC service professional or chimney expert. The good news is that carbon monoxide detectors will alert you if a leak ever occurs and are widely available at hardware and big box stores.
No matter what heater problem your home is facing, you can call on Cooper Mechanical to repair the issue. We also offer plumbing services, so if you need the assistance of an emergency plumber in Doylestown, you’ll know who to call.
