Our California winters may be mild, but they definitely call for a heater. As with any system, a heater can only go so long without showing warning signs of an impending breakdown. Knowing how to spot failure warning signs is important, so what exactly do you need to be on the lookout for this winter?
Star Mechanical knows how distressing a heater breakdown can be for you and your family. That’s why we want to make sure that you know how to catch your system before a breakdown happens! Today, we’re sharing the biggest signs that your heater needs repairs.
You Notice Hot And Cold Spots
Do you ever walk from your humid bedroom into a freezing living room? If your home has some spots that seem to always stay cold and others that stay warm, your heating system needs repairs. Something in your unit isn’t working properly, and it’s important to fix this before things get worse.
Your System Makes Strange Noises
While we’re all used to the typical whir and hum of a furnace kicking on, some noises are cause for concern. Clunking, screeching and whistling are all examples of sounds that should not come from a well-functioning heater. That means that it’s time to call in a heating company for a furnace repair.
Depending on the noise, your system may have anything from a broken fan to a loose part. Luckily, annual maintenance checks can help prevent these issues in the future.
Your Heating Bill Has Soared
A rising bill is never a good thing. If you’ve noticed a jump in your heating bill, it’s a good sign that your system is malfunctioning. Sudden raises in energy use are typically a sign that your system will require repairs or a replacement soon. Even slowly raising bills can mean trouble, so keep track of your last few bills to compare your system’s energy usage.
Changing The Thermostat Doesn’t Do Much
When you turn on your heater, you should hear the blower kick on and feel the warmth within a few minutes. If your home never seems to be warm enough despite setting your thermostat higher than normal, there’s an issue.
Constantly raising the thermostat but still feeling cold means that your system isn’t working properly. Sometimes this is because of the furnace itself, and sometimes it’s because of the thermostat. No matter what the issue is, it’s important to call a heating company to complete the repairs.
Your Heater Is Short Cycling
Short cycling happens when your heating system is constantly turning on, running for a short time, and then turning off. This cycle repeats itself in very short intervals, and it’s a bad sign. Short cycling is incredibly hard on your heater. It wastes tons of energy while wearing down the lifespan of your system.
Not only is short cycling awful for your unit, but it is also a sign that a breakdown is coming. Calling your trusted furnace repair company is essential to find out why your system is malfunctioning.
Regular Furnace Maintenance Helps Prevent Problems
While you can’t prevent everything, annual heater maintenance can identify and fix issues within your unit before they get worse. Even when you’ve scheduled your annual tune-up, just keep an eye out for these furnace warning signs:
- Short cycling
- Hot and cold spots
- Unusual noises
- Skyrocketing heating bills
- Thermostat settings making no difference in temperature
Professional Heating Services In Manteca, California
As soon as you spot something off with your heater, calling your heater repairman should be first on your to-do list. Heaters can malfunction and break down at any time, and Star Mechanical understands this.
At Star Mechanical, we offer professional, high-quality heater repairs to our Manteca community. We know that a broken heater can leave you bundled in blankets, but that’s why we offer 24/7 emergency heating repairs.
Trust Star Mechanical with your next heater tune-up, repair or installation. Contact us today to schedule your services!
