10 Signs That Your Heating System Needs to Be Repaired
Having a home heating system in the wintertime is an absolute must to keep you and your home safe from the cold winter weather. While you probably don’t give your heating system a lot of thought when it’s working correctly, you need to be on the lookout for prospective signs of issues. The sooner that you can have an HVAC technician take a look at your problem, the better chance you have of having issues escalate and require more time and money to address.
It’s Not Blowing Hot Air
One very stark sign that your furnace is in desperate need of repairs is that it’s blowing cold air. This typically comes down to an issue with the gas supply, flame detector, pilot light, and/or other internal components of your furnace that may be malfunctioning. You should contact an HVAC professional to further assess the issue and fix it.
Weak Airflow
If your heating system is still producing some heat, but it feels like the air coming out of your vents is very weak, it’s an issue that needs to be looked into further. The culprit of your airflow problem could be something as simple as a clogged air filter that needs to be replaced with a fresh one, or it could indicate a bigger issue like a broken motor, broken blower fan, or an obstruction inside your ductwork.
Loud Noises
One of the most obvious signs that your heating system is in need of repairs is that it makes an unusually loud noise. Most of us are familiar with a slight clicking sound as your heating system starts up after being off for a while. However, if you start hearing loud bangs, thugs, grinding, whistling, buzzing, rattling, or other loud noises, it’s an indication that there’s something wrong with your system that needs to be repaired. It’s a good idea to shut your heating system off and contact an HVAC professional for further assistance.
Short Cycling
Your heating system should only be kicking on a couple of times per hour. If you notice that it seems to be kicking on and off in short cycles, it’s an indication that there’s something wrong with your system. You never want to allow your system to continue to short cycle as it can be very hard on its internal components and end up causing further issues.
Yellow Pilot Light
When your furnace is functioning correctly, it will have a solid blue flame. However, if there’s a problem with the gas supply, another fuel-related component, or ventilation, your pilot light can appear anywhere from orange to yellow. This is a problem that needs to be addressed quickly to prevent potential dangers, like carbon monoxide from building up inside your furnace.
Your System Isn’t Turning On
One issue you may run into with your heating system is that it just won’t turn on. If your thermostat is showing that it’s in heating mode and the temperature is below what you have said is your desired temperature, then there’s likely an issue with the electrical components of your furnace.
Water Leakage
Throughout its normal process, your furnace will remove condensation from the air. That water will be drained via a condensate line that goes to the outside of your home or to a drain inside of your home. If you notice that there is water pooling underneath your furnace, it’s best to contact an HVAC professional sooner rather than later.
Odd Smell
While it’s not uncommon for your heating system to have a smell when it kicks on for the first time after sitting all summer long, it should operate with relatively no scent after that. If you start to smell something burning, mildewy, or something out of the norm, it’s an indication that there’s something wrong with your heating system or your ducting.
Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors Goes Off
If you have a heating system that runs on propane, natural gas, or heating oil, it uses the process of combustion to create heat. In a properly functioning heating system, the exhaust fumes from that combustion process are safely vented to the outdoors. However, if there’s a problem with your system, such as the heat exchanger being cracked, it can allow those toxic fumes to be released into your home. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, immediately shut off your system and exit your home.
Higher Than Average Energy Bills
While it’s not uncommon for heating bills to increase in the dead of winter, most homeowners have a fairly decent idea of what their usual energy bills are throughout all months of the year. If you’ve noticed that your wintertime heating bills are higher than they typically are, it could be an indication that your system is not working efficiently.
Expert Heating Service
Vastola Heating & Cooling offers expert heating service for the entire Orchard Park and surrounding communities. We can also assist with all of your cooling, generator, ductless mini split, ductwork, indoor air quality, water heater, humidifier, dehumidifier, and snow melt systems. Simply contact our office today to get your next service appointment scheduled.
