You don’t want to face heater repairs this winter, but sometimes you don’t have a choice. Problems pop up, and you have to address them or risk the problems getting worse and potentially leading to a complete heater breakdown.
But what are the early signs that your heater needs repairs? When you understand the early signs that something is wrong, then you can fix them early and prevent much larger and more expensive problems. If you suspect that you need heater repair in McHenry, IL, our team is here to help. In the meantime, keep reading so that you can better understand how your heater operates and what signs can indicate problems.
Bad Odors
Your heater should never smell bad, with one exception. After your heater has been off all spring and summer and you turn it back on for the first time in the fall or winter, there may be an unusual odor. This can happen after your heater sits unused for an extended period of time. But the smell should never last longer than 15 or 20 minutes before it goes away. If your heater emits an unusual odor that never goes away, something may be wrong. You may have a gas leak or excessive dust that is burning up inside the unit.
Trouble Starting
Your heater turns on and off regularly through heating cycles. If it ever seems like your heater is struggling to turn on for a heating cycle, that’s a problem. The wiring may be damaged, or the thermostat connection may be faulty. No matter what the problem is, you need to get it addressed. Your heater should always start easily without a hitch.
Pilot Light
If you have a gas heater, the pilot light should always be bright blue. Pale blue, yellow, or orange can indicate that there is a ventilation problem. Gas can build up in the system and not filter outside of your home. When this happens, the pilot light changes color. This is definitely a problem that you don’t want to ignore.
Lack of Heat
This may seem obvious, but your heater should always produce warm air. In fact, if you hold your hand up to a vent in your home, the air sheds feel specifically hot. If you hold your hand up to an air vent and feel cool, or lukewarm air, then something is wrong. Heat may be leaking out of ductwork that isn’t sealed properly, or your heater may not be working as it should.
Bad Air Quality
If you noticed a lot of dust particles in the air around your home, your heater may be to blame. Testing more often may not seem like too big of a hassle, but your heater may be recirculating bacteria and allergens. This can lead to respiratory symptoms and getting sick more often. If a member of your family has allergies, this can be a big problem. The good news is, it’s usually an easy fix. Our team may need to replace the air filter, wipe out the inside of your system, and check your ductwork sealing. After that, your heater should improve your indoor air quality once again.
Contact Althoff Home Services today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. Chicago’s Choice Since 1961. Hand It Off to Althoff!