It can be challenging to know when it’s time to repair your heating units. There are several precautions you can take to prolong the life of your unit. General maintenance should be kept up on most things in your home, and your heating unit is no exception. It is helpful to have tips and tricks in your bank of knowledge to help you figure out whether or not it is time to call someone for repairs. Take a look at this list of seven signs you might need heating repair.
1. A High Electric Bill
An unusually high electric bill is one of the first indicators of something wrong with your heating unit. Make sure you pay attention to what your utility bills usually look like. Utility companies sometimes raise rates, but it shouldn’t be enough to cause a drastic difference. If your electricity bill suddenly jumps in cost, it might be an indicator that something is wrong with your heating unit, and you should call on a professional to have it inspected.
2. You Can’t Get the Temperature High Enough
Does it feel too cold in your home despite the number of times you have tried to crank the temperature up? This could be an indicator that there is a problem with your heating unit. It might be time to call a technician if you can’t get your thermostat to cooperate.
Anything that runs 24/7 is sure to need maintenance eventually. Your heating unit is constantly running to meet your settings. Things are sure to wear out over time. It is normal to need repairs after so long. If you are having trouble keeping the temperature in your home where you prefer, it is time to call someone to look at your unit for repairs.
3. Unusual Hot and Cold Spots
Does it seem like your heating unit is working better in some rooms than others? Have you noticed some spots in your home running too cold or too warm? Uneven hot or cold spots are a good sign that something might be wrong with your heating unit.
This problem is common in homes that have ductwork issues. It can happen in older homes, especially if no one has been out to do routine maintenance on your unit or ductwork in a while. If you are experiencing strange hot or cold spots throughout your home, you should have a professional come out to take a look at your heating system.
4. Strange Noises from the Vents
Out-of-the-ordinary noises in your home should raise an eyebrow. It can be easy to ignore the odd bump in the wall or cabinet, especially if you live in an older home, but strange noises from your vents can be a sign that something is wrong with your heating system.
If you are hearing a buzzing noise, there could be an electrical issue, and it can be dangerous to ignore a problem like that. It is safest to get any strange noise inspected by a professional before it turns out to be a more serious issue.
5. A Change in the Air Quality
If you are experiencing more than the usual amount of dust floating around in the air, you might want to consider getting your heating system looked at by an expert. Haziness in the air can mean that something is wrong with your heating unit.
Poor air quality can be damaging over time and is not something that should be ignored. Make sure you watch out for family members that have started to show any signs of respiratory illness. If someone seems to be struggling with breathing or coughing a lot due to the dust and debris in the air, you need to have an HVAC service come out and inspect your heating system.
6. You Notice Short-Cycling
If your air conditioner is functioning on brief and sporadic cycles, it is short cycling. This means it is not running long enough to complete a full cycle, and something is wrong with it. If your unit is short cycling, it is using more energy than it should. You should call an expert to inspect your system right away if you begin to notice short cycling.
7. A Yellow Pilot Light
If you think something is wrong, check the pilot light on your furnace. If your pilot light shows a blue flame, that is an indicator that your furnace is working properly. You could have a problem with your furnace if it is flickering yellow, orange, purple, red, or green. The different colors of the flames could mean that there are many condensates, which will mean the efficiency of your furnace is significantly decreased. If you notice your pilot light flame is any color other than blue, you should schedule an expert to come to take a look at your furnace.
