Signs the Heater Needs Repairs
This time of year can be rough for homeowners. With the coldest season underway, the heater works hard to keep the home from freezing. Unfortunately, all that hard work can take a toll on the heater to the point that it fails and needs attention. Too often, the signs that a heater is about to fail go unnoticed by homeowners who don't know any better. Here is some advice from local experts to help homeowners spot the signs they need to call for heater repairs.
Uncontrollable Energy Bills
Winter temperatures will always cause energy bills to climb, and rising energy prices can make it difficult to track actual heater usage. But checking bills is the best way to determine if the heater can keep up in the winter. When heaters start to have problems, they will almost always show signs, causing energy bills to creep up.
Heaters are designed to be efficient, and when yearly maintenance is observed, they will maintain their efficiency. However, when problems arise, so will the energy bills. Compare each month with last year's usage. If there is a significant variance that severe weather events can't explain, heater repairs are likely needed.
New, Unusual Smells and Sounds
Homeownership is a big job, and it involves all of the senses. Nowhere is this more true than when it comes to the heater. Heaters are complex pieces of equipment with many moving pieces. Since they are designed for comfort, most of them will operate relatively quietly. A heater should be quiet except for some sound from the fan and a gentle rush of air. When heaters start to rattle, squeal, or bang, mechanical problems exist in the system. Allowing a professional to look into the problem can allow them to make repairs before problems get worse.
Just like strange noises appeal to the sense of hearing, the sense of smell is also a powerful tool for spotting heater problems. Smells like burnt rubber, smoke, or gas are serious signs of something wrong. If the owner is in doubt about a smell coming from the heater, they should enlist the help of local experts to ensure the system is safe and perform heater repairs if necessary.
Cold Spots in the Home
Every heater is designed to keep the home uniformly warm. Except for cold spots around some doors and windows, the temperature in the home should be consistent. The final signs that the heater needs some attention are hot and cold spots in the home or an uncomfortably cool home.
Fixing these problems is usually pretty easy, but contractors must know about them first. Pay close attention to the comfort of different areas of the house to determine if the heater isn't doing its job. Heating maintenance or heater repairs can restore service and help homeowners stay comfortable without allowing the system to waste energy and run up utility bills.
About Carmine's Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Carmine's Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning handles homes and businesses' plumbing and climate control systems. Their highly qualified technicians can easily perform heater repairs to restore lost heating power in the home. Call today for HVAC service in Danbury, CT.
