When people think of harsh winters, they probably imagine a state up in the midwest or maybe even New England. Still, just because we’re not known for our chilly temperatures doesn’t mean that we don’t need fully effective and efficient heating systems when wintertime does come. You know as well as we do that we can even be surprised by chillier-than-normal temperatures and even snow!
That said, it’s extremely important that you keep up on your professional heating maintenance appointments. Annual tune-ups from a trained and experienced professional will ensure that your system works as best as it can while minimizing repair needs.
But still, there’s always the chance that your system will need repairs between maintenance sessions, and for this reason, it’s a good idea for you to know the signs of a heater in disrepair, which we’ll cover below!
Concerning Noises
Are you hearing strange noises coming from your heating system? Like maybe banging, rattling, or clicking as your heater shuts down? These are all signs of potential problems and shouldn’t be ignored. A banging sound, for example, could be combustion gas burning through dirt and grime on the burners. This is something that’s a lot less likely to happen in a well-maintained system, but it’s still important to be aware of.
Short-Cycling
Short-cycling is when your furnace or heat pump cycles on and off rapidly, instead of going through regular heating cycles. Your heater should run for about 10-15 minutes at a time, 2-3 times an hour. A short-cycling heater means a heater that is experiencing an electrical problem.
And not only is short-cycling the symptom of a problem, but it can cause further problems too. In fact, it can exacerbate natural wear and tear and shorten the lifespan of your heater overall.
Excessive Dust in the Home
You may think this is primarily a sign of poor indoor air quality, and you’re not wrong. However, a heater problem could be partially to blame. Your heater comes with an air filter.
That air filter is in place to protect the system itself from the onset of dirt, dust, and other debris that can harm its internal components. When it gets too clogged up, a couple of things happen.
- Airflow is going to be restricted which causes problems for the heater, and
- The air filter won’t be able to keep collecting particles in the air, so you’re going to see more of it circulating in your home.
The air filter is something that we check during professional maintenance, however, it needs to be swapped out a lot more often than this–every 1-3 months depending on the type of air filter and the level of contaminants in your home.
Higher Utility Bills
Take a look at your energy bills. Are they a lot higher than they were this same time last year? How about in comparison to what your neighbors are paying? If yours are a lot higher, it’s a sign that something in your home isn’t working as efficiently as it should, and it could very well be your heating system to blame.
After all, your HVAC systems account for up to half of your home’s entire energy use! Goes to show it’s important to take good care of these systems.
For professional heating repair in Katy, TX, contact Cool Care Heating and Air Conditioning today!