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6 Important Heating Repair Tips for Homeowners
Staying warm in the winter is critical.
In February 2021, record low temperatures passed through some parts of the United States, leaving many people without heat.
If you are a homeowner, then it’s your responsibility to make sure that the heating system in your home is working properly.
Your home heating system doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to work well and keep you cozy when there’s snow on the ground outside.
In this post, you will learn critical heating repair tips for keeping your heating systems running smoothly all winter long!
1. Regular Maintenance
Make certain that your heating system and HVAC unit are well-maintained.
You can maintain your heater by keeping the coils clean. Remove dirt, leaves, and debris with a hose or compressed air.
Ask an HVAC professional for advice on how to do this safely, since there might be live parts.
Make sure that the drain pans are not obstructed, if they block up then your system can overheat and cause permanent damage.
Replace filters when dirty. If they are not replaceable, ask whether it is possible to get washable ones instead.
Get a copy of your warranty information and model number so you can get repairs done quickly and easily.
If you have problems, troubleshoot by checking if any safety features are tripped.
Check if there is a circuit breaker shut off, the gas shutoff valve is turned off, or the natural gas supply valve is turned off.
2. Recognize Warning Signs
One of the warning signs that you have furnace issues is higher heating costs.
Not only will a malfunctioning furnace lead to higher heating costs, but it can also lead to a variety of other issues, including mold and water damage.
To avoid these problems, you have to know how to tell if your furnace needs repair. If there is excess air blowing from the vents or you smell gas, your furnace requires immediate attention from a qualified HVAC technician.
Here are five other major signs you should be on the lookout for:
- Your thermostat shows a higher temperature than it should
- The thermostat’s display flickers on and off
- Heat only comes on when the heat is set on high or the fan is set on low
- You can barely feel any air coming from the vents
- There are hot spots in your room
- Burning smells are present
- Buzzing noise is coming from the fan
By paying attention to these signs you can avoid having a broken heater.
3. Avoid Overworking the System
One of the most common reasons for a system to stop heating is overworking it.
Don’t turn up the thermostat unnecessarily, doing this too much can cause damage to the system.
Make sure that you wear the appropriate clothing indoors and get bedding that is warm and comfortable to avoid overusing your heating system.
4. Watch Out for Humidity
One of the most common reasons for an HVAC system failure is humidity.
Homes with natural gas furnaces are more likely to accumulate moisture from the environment because there is no way for any airflow to dry out the system.
Humidity can then cause the furnace to malfunction. To avoid this problem, you should purchase a humidifier that will dry out the air.
This will help prevent future malfunctions and keep your home comfortable all year round.
5. Pay Attention to Your System
If something doesn’t seem quite right, take a closer look.
For example, you might notice that your HVAC system is making an unusual noise.
In this case, it’s important to contact a technician as soon as possible to find out what might be wrong and how to fix it before it becomes more serious.
By not properly caring for or fixing your unit, you are opening the door to numerous issues down the road.
These may include corrosion of specific elements and excessive wear on other parts of the system.
6. Program your Thermostat
Programming your thermostat to ensure that it’s at the right temperature can save you a lot of money on your heating bill.
The best way to do this is by using a programmable thermostat.
The first thing you should do is set up a 7-day schedule and include any holidays and weekends.
This will help you maintain a comfortable temperature in your home every day of the week, even if you’re not there to change it.
If you have more than one person living in your home, it’s beneficial for everyone to know how the thermostat works so they can change settings as necessary.
You should also make the temperature change gradual.
If it’s too drastic, your system may not be able to adjust quickly enough and this can cause problems with heating efficiency.
For example, if you want the heat turned up at four in the morning, you can program it to go up by one degree every hour.
The temperature will still be comfortable in your house when you wake up, and you will not put undue pressure on the system.
Heating Repair Tips
Follow the heating repair tips that have been discussed here to keep your system up and running.
Knowing how your heating system works and how to maintain it can stop you from having to do major repairs or a replacement of your system.
Remember that heating systems don’t just crash without first giving some kind of warning sign.
You must heed those warning signs and call in a professional as quickly as possible to effect repairs to your system.
If you would like help with your heating system, please contact us.
Looking for a trusted Gilbert heating company? Contact your 5-star, emergency HVAC experts at Mark Daniels Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve been serving the Valley Since 1996. Call (480) 571-7219 or request service online today!
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