As the cold winter months are nearing, it is time to ask yourself, is your heating system ready to withstand another Winter season? We rely on our heating and cooling systems to keep us cool during hot summer months and to keep us warm during frigid cold months.
Because we live in Louisiana, there are very few weeks out of the year when families actually use their heating systems. Let’s explore some common heating problems and some signs that it may be time to contact an HVAC technician to inquire about heating repair services.
1. Your system hasn't had preventative maintenance in a while
Preventative maintenance is very important for the life of your cooling and heating system. Maintenance of your HVAC system helps to eliminate problems before they arise and may also help to prevent costly repairs down the road.
At a minimum, you should schedule routine maintenance for your HVAC system once per year. Typical maintenance contracts consist of twice per year scheduled maintenance. Spring maintenance, where your air conditioning system is checked and serviced before the hot summer months. Fall maintenance, where your heating system is checked and serviced before the winter months.
If you have not scheduled maintenance for your system in a while or maybe ever, it is time to do so.
2. High Energy Bill
If you’ve noticed a significant increase in your energy bill, it may be time to schedule a service for your HVAC heating system. An HVAC system that isn’t operating properly will cause a rise in energy costs. An HVAC technician can determine if your system has an issue and will help to repair it or make suggestions on how to get your system operating at peak efficiency.
3. Weird and Unusual noises
Loud banging or clanking noises coming from your HVAC system is a pretty good indicator that it is time to schedule a service call for your system. If your system was operating at its best, it would not make these types of noises. If you hear any odd sounds coming from your HVAC system, it is important that your call an HVAC repair company as soon as possible.
4. Gas smell
Gas furnaces and heat pumps are a great investment for keeping your home warm, but problems still occur with these types of heating systems. If you have a gas furnace and you suspect a gas leak with your heating system you evacuate your home and call an HVAC professional immediately.
Small levels of exposure to natural gas can cause headaches and problems with breathing. Natural gas is odorless, but a chemical is added that smells like rotten eggs. You may also hear hissing noises, which can indicate a leak in your gas lines. Gas leaks are no joke, schedule a furnace repair immediately.
5. Frequently turning on and off
If you’ve noticed your heating system kicks on and off repeatedly, this is an indication of “over-cycling.” This problem may be caused by a faulty thermostat, clogged air filters, improper installation of ductwork causing issues with air circulation, and more. To avoid this issue, schedule regular maintenance. If you haven’t had maintenance, it may be time to schedule a heater repair.
6. No airflow
If hardly any warm air is blowing from your vents, schedule a service for your system. There are many causes for weak airflow including damaged or leaking ducts, clogged air filters, broken components, or a damaged air handler. The one thing that all of these issues have in common is that they require diagnosis and repair from an HVAC technician.
7. Water leaks
A gas leak is definitely more dangerous than a water leak, but water leaking from your system indicates there is an issue that needs to be addressed. If water is leaking from and around your HVAC system, turn off your system and clean up the water to avoid damage and mold. Next, contact an HVAC Repair company to correct the issue.
8. Cold Air
If you’ve noticed your furnace is blowing cold air, there is an obvious issue with your system. Issues with the pilot light, control board, thermostat, gas supply, limit, heat exchanger, air filter, etc. may cause your furnace to blow cold air. HVAC companies have experienced technicians who can diagnose and provide replacement parts to correct the issue.
9. Faulty Thermostat
Your thermostat is an important communicating component of your HVAC system. Your thermostat is also how you set your comfort level for your home. The thermostat tells your HVAC system how much heat to produce. Faulty thermostats can affect how often your system kicks on, as well as how long your system stays on in order to reach or attempt to reach the set temperature.
While replacement thermostats are available to anyone, you should still contact an HVAC technician if you suspect a malfunctioning thermostat. This is the easiest way to avoid a potentially dangerous situation with electricity and wiring.
10. Older System
Even with proper maintenance, HVAC systems have a lifespan of 15-20 years. If you have an older system stop working, or you are simply just tired of frequent repair costs, it may be time for an HVAC system upgrade.
Most HVAC companies offer free estimates for system replacements or installs. A trained HVAC technician will suggest the most energy-efficient HVAC system that meets the requirements of your home.
The most important thing to do before scheduling HVAC repair services is to choose the right HVAC company for the job. Research the company you have in mind to be sure that they are professional and knowledgeable enough to get the job done correctly.
