With cold weather on the way, it’s critical that your home’s heating system is operational. You don’t want your heating system to fail you in frigid temperatures for an extended period of time. In order to keep you and your family safe and warm, here are some common signs that your heating system needs repair before it’s too late.
1. Higher Electricity Bills
A common sign that your heating system needs repairs is a higher electric bill. Over time, your system becomes less efficient and takes longer to heat your home, which means it’s using more energy than it needs. It can be hard to determine what the issue is, so a trained HVAC technician has the equipment and knowledge to find the problem and fix it.
2. Uneven Heating Around Your Home
For a heating system to work adequately, it must move the heat around different rooms through the ductwork attached to it. If you’re noticing some rooms become sweltering hot while others are more lukewarm, uneven heating could be the issue. Some issues may be leaks, clogged air filters, or drafts. Attempting to diagnose the issue is best left to the professionals.
3. Burning Smell
When you use your heaters when the weather gets colder, you might notice a burning smell. Typically, this is from the dust and dirt that have built up since the last time you used it. The smell should go away in a short period of time, but if you notice it hasn’t in a while, there could be an issue. Sometimes your furnace filter can be clogged up, so changing to a new filter can solve the problem. If the smell doesn’t go away in an hour, it’s best to call in a professional and make sure there isn’t any damaged electrical wiring or any other issues.
4. Strange Noises
You’re ready to warm up from the cold weather and when you turn on your heating system, some strange noises start happening. Rattling, banging, or any noise you never heard before from your heating system should be checked out because it can lead to more serious problems later on.
5. Thermostat Not Working
Thermostats tell an HVAC system how much heat to produce for the home when you set it at a certain temperature. If for some reason you’re needing to turn it up higher and higher to help heat your home, it needs to be looked at. Malfunctions can occur from electrical issues, like tripped circuit breakers, loose wiring, or blown fuses. It’s important that you don’t try to handle the issue because of the risk of shock so a trained professional HVAC should handle the issue.
6. Yellow Burner Flame
A normal furnace flame is blue, but if it becomes yellow, there’s a problem. Yellow flames mean there’s a presence of carbon monoxide in your home. If you notice the flame turning yellow and feel dizzy or fatigued, vacate your home and contact professionals immediately. Addressing the issue right away is important to the health of you and your family.
Most people wait until winter to get their heating system inspected and maintained. Pushing off maintenance can cause problems for your heating system and your home. If your HVAC system needs care, Omni Air HVAC can help you with any repairs you need.