Taking care of your residential HVAC systems is an ongoing task. There are steps you need to take monthly as a homeowner, and you also need to invest in professional maintenance appointments annually. But what about when problems arise in between these maintenance appointments?
Give our team a call for heating repair in Winter Park any time you suspect that your heater is malfunctioning. You can also keep reading to learn about some of the signs that can point to heater problems so that you know exactly when to call for service.
Surprising Sounds
If you hear any sounds coming from your heater that you’ve never heard before or rarely heard, go ahead and call to schedule service. Loud and alarming sounds are probably what come to mind when you think about your heater malfunctioning. But surprising sounds can also be quiet or nearly silent. For example, a gentle rattling can mean that your heater has a small part loose and moving around or that a piece of ductwork is loose.
Persistent clicking in a gas furnace can mean that it is struggling to turn on for a cycle. Clicking can be perfectly normal if you only hear it a couple of times, but persistent clicking becomes problematic because your heater is struggling to turn on. It is equally important to know when sounds are normal and when they aren’t.
Yucky Odors
Bad smells coming from your heater are a problem as well. Some bad smells may seem obvious, like burning. A burning smell coming from your heater can mean any number of things from an electrical problem to a component overheating. If you notice a burning smell, turn your heater off right away to prevent a total breakdown.
But there are other odors to be concerned about as well. A rotten egg smell coming from a gas furnace can mean that you have a gas leak. A musty or damp odor can mean that moisture is building up inside a heater. It may or may not mean that you have mold growing inside of the system.
Lack of Heat
A lack of heat is not always as obvious as you may think. Your heater can lose heating ability so gradually that you don’t notice it at first. This is especially true in the fall season when temperatures are not as cold outside yet. Heating issues are often exacerbated by extremely cold temperatures outside that your heater simply cannot stand up to.
At first, your home may still be fairly comfortable if not quite as warm as you would like for it to be. Anytime you have doubts, it’s important to call for service sooner rather than later. Putting off an appointment can mean that you are left completely without heat before you know it.
Lots of Dust
Does it seem like your home is significantly dustier than it usually is? If so, your heater may be to blame. It’s easy to think that perhaps you just haven’t cleaned as well as you should and that dust is an inevitable part of life. But if you do wipe down surfaces only to find the layer of dust again within a week or two, your heater may need duct services.
Duct cleaning is something you can schedule every 3-5 years to boost your indoor air quality and also give your heater a fresh start with a clean interior. Even with an excellent air filter in place, some dust and dirt is inevitable, but over time the buildup can get to be too much.
Concerning Energy Costs
You should also pay attention to energy costs. Even though you have a variety of different things in your home consuming energy, your heater is easily one of the largest and most demanding appliances. Check your energy costs compared to the same time as last year. And don’t just look at the actual price, look at your energy consumption.
If you haven’t changed your thermostat settings and consumption is significantly higher, it’s possible that your heater is straining to operate this season. If you haven’t already scheduled maintenance for your system, go ahead and do that now before you need your heater even more.
Are you ready to schedule heating repair in Winter Park, FL? Contact the English Air team today to discuss your specific needs.