3 Warning Signs You Need Heating Repairs
While the winters are usually never too severe here in Florida, we do see our fair share of cold temperatures from time to time, and when the temperature starts to drop, the last thing you want to be stuck dealing with is a heating system that refuses to start up. Waiting for emergency heating repairs during a particularly cold day or night can be frustrating to say the least, and can actually be somewhat dangerous if the temperatures get low enough, or if you have young children or elderly family members living in the home with you. There is good news, however, in that most heating systems are generally going to display some warning signs to let you know something is wrong before it quits completely. Unfortunately, there are far too many homeowners who overlook these signs, or fail to address them after seeing them. To help you in identifying these issues before they have a chance to wreak further havoc on your heating system, our team of skilled HVAC contractors have put together a short list containing several of the most common warning signs to be on the lookout for. If you have any suspicions about the condition of your home's heating system, don't hesitate to get one of our professionals on scene and get the heating repairs you need.
Your Heating Unit Is Blowing Cool Air
One of the most obvious signs that there is an issue with your home's heating system is if it is blowing cold air through the vents. If you use a forced air heating system in your home, like a furnace or a heat pump, cold air coming through your vents could mean that you have leaking ductwork, a malfunctioning thermostat, faulty burners, or a number of other issues. No matter how tempting it can be to open up your heating unit and try to repair it yourself, it is always best to leave heating repairs to a trained professional. Most heating units are fairly complex pieces of machinery, and in the case of furnaces especially, if things aren't repaired correctly or things aren't reassembled the right way, you could have serious issues on your hands in very little time.
Shutting Down Early
If you notice that your heating unit starts up, begins to pump warm air, and then shuts back down again quickly, it is more than likely short cycling, which is a fairly serious issue. Short cycling, like most other heating issues, can have a wide variety of different causes. For instance, if your system is new or has always short cycled, it might just be too big for your home, and replacing it with a more appropriately sized heating unit might be your best option to fix the problem. It could also be something as mundane as having a dirty air filter, but it could also be something a bit more complex, like a flame sensor, or a thermocouple that needs to be replaced. Whatever the issue is stemming from, a professional will be able to figure out where the issue is coming from, and get it resolved quickly.
Climbing Energy Bills
While energy bills will usually climb a bit during the winter months, if you notice that they seem to be getting worse and worse each month, you could have a heating issue on your hands. If you aren't using your heater more than usual, and you know the system is well-maintained, you shouldn't see a rise in your energy bills, but if you do, you will want to get on the phone with a professional as soon as possible and have them come and sort out the issue. You shouldn't have to deal with being uncomfortable in your own home just because you are worried about saving money on your energy bill.