The winter months draw nearer each day. Therefore, it is essential to know whether your heater can adequately warm your home once the temperatures begin to drop. Most heaters last for an average of 15 to 30 years after installation. However, that doesn’t mean that they won’t experience an occasional malfunction. Generally, a heater should receive an inspection once a year. Nevertheless, there are times when it may need servicing outside of its regular inspection times.
To ensure that your heater will be up to par this coming winter, we at Home Comfort USA have devised a list of possible signs that you should keep in mind. If present, these signs warrant a heater inspection.
Loss of Functionality
More often than not, the first signs that your heater needs an inspection are a change in function or total loss of operation. This may mean a night wrapped in extra blankets if you wait until the cold weather arrives before testing your heater. Luckily, in most cases, an HVAC technician should quickly locate the issue and administer heater system repairs without a total system replacement.
Mechanical Noises
Of course, if you hear loud banging noises emitting from your heater, regardless of its performance, it’s safe to say that an inspection is due. Unfortunately, the presence of loud noises often means that the heater is in the process of breaking down. As the equipment ages, parts wear down beyond the point of repairs, and thus it becomes time to purchase a new heater.
Burning Smell Coming From Heater
While a slight burning smell is entirely typical if you have just recently started your heater for the first time in several months, a persistent smell of something burning can indicate another issue present.
Other causes of burning smells include bacterial growth, a foreign object lodged within the vents, or improperly insulated mechanical wires. Therefore, if you notice a burning smell accompanied by a musty odor or a smell of burning plastic or wires, it is crucial to shut your heater off and immediately call your servicing company.
Increase in Utility Bill Payments
If there are no apparent signs that your heater has experienced a malfunction, then your utility bill could be your first sign that something is wrong. A higher utility bill cost when you are not using your heater more than usual could signify that your heater is overworking itself for some reason or another, which certainly warrants an inspection.
Presence of Carbon Monoxide
Did you know that over 50,000 people in the United States are hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning every year? However, this number would be much higher without carbon monoxide detection systems that are in place to monitor home heaters. In most cases, high levels of carbon monoxide in your home will cause your detector to sound an alarm. If your alarm does go off, quickly vacate the area and contact your inspection company immediately. If you experience symptoms of poisoning, like fatigue or vomiting, call your doctor.
Home Comfort USA
Our company has provided the residents of Southern California with heating and cooling solutions for years. In addition to our heater services, we provide HVAC installation and maintenance as well.
Our reputation as the leading HVAC company in the Southern California area is possible thanks to our expertly trained technicians. Contact us today if you are interested in seeking help from a trustworthy company that guarantees customer satisfaction.
