Going through a cold season with heating problems is not fun. Not only is your main source of comfort being interfered with, the constant worrying and spending with repairs is another headache – which is why heating problems are better dealt with as soon as possible.
This is particularly important since heating systems are very interconnected, meaning if one part is faulty, it can cascade into an avalanche of problems.
Today we’re outlining the most common heating problems, so in most cases, you can pinpoint the issue and solve it right away to get your home ready for colder days!
“The power of imagination makes us infinite. – John Muir
Regular maintenance is crucial
Heating systems need regular maintenance regardless of how often they’re being used. But this is especially important if you haven’t used it in a while and suddenly need to turn it on for colder days.
Be sure to check for basic signs that the system is working well, but perform regular inspection every three months or so to make sure everything is operating at top condition.
Dirty filters
Dirty filters lead to a number of problems that will get worse by the minute. The buildup of dust and debris on your filters will decrease the efficiency of your system, which in turn will spend more energy. At the same time, dirty filters can spread foul smells around the house, which can become a problem for allergic members of the family.
Signs of dirty filters are higher energy bills, strange smell, and inefficiency to maintain heat.
Bad air flow
Noticing certain rooms are not as properly heated as others? This might be a sign of bad air flow, which can be caused by the aforementioned dirty or clogged filters, but also leaky ductwork.
The best course of action is to ask a professional to inspect your ductwork to know exactly what is preventing heat from reaching that room.
In some cases however, the ductwork simply doesn’t reach certain rooms that were made later as additions to your home. In that case, you should consider ductless systems.
Thermostat
Thermostats are usually simple beasts, but they still need some care. The most obvious being running out of batteries, but a glitchy thermostat can lead to a very unreliable heating system.
A common thermostat-related problem is when your heating system turns off or on out of nowhere at seemingly random intervals. Keep an eye on your thermostat, as it might be the culprit.
Badly sealed ductwork
Leaky ductwork forces your heating system to work harder to compensate for the leaky air, which in turn, makes it spend more energy than necessary. Worse, it might still struggle to maintain proper heat, depending on how bad the ductwork situation is.
The signs of bad ductwork are similar to clogged filters – bad air circulation, certain areas are colder than others, higher energy bills and overall system inefficiency.
High energy bills
Heating season always leads to an increase in energy consumption, but large spikes that seem abnormal should be investigated. It can be a sign of one or more of the problems we’ve mentioned already, like leaky ductwork and clogged filters.
Consult a professional to inspect your system if you notice above normal energy bills. They can help you identify the source of the problem and provide many solutions to make your heating system more energy efficient.
Bad smell
Strange odor emanating from the vents is most likely a sign of dirty filters or even small animals that may have crawled inside your vents. Be sure to investigate as soon as possible, because in either case, this may offer a threat to your family’s health.
Need to know more about heating systems? Call a heating professional from your area and get free quotes today!
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