There’s no denying that wintertime can be pretty brutal here in New Jersey. The chill in the air means that we need effective and efficient heaters in our homes. So, how’s yours working? Hopefully, you’ve already had it tuned up this fall–this is a service that’s needed once a year at least for your heater (if you’re using a heat pump system that also cools, this should be increased to twice a year).
A professional maintenance tune-up ensures your heater is working as efficiently and effectively as possible. But it also lets our professionals check for signs of small repair needs and basic wear and tear. This way we can alert you to your heater’s needs so you can get those repairs on your schedule before they turn into an emergency heater breakdown.
Still though, even with maintenance (which it’s not too late to schedule, by the way), it’s a good idea for homeowners to know the signs that their heater is in disrepair. Read on as we uncover those signs:
Strange, Loud, or Concerning Noises
Have you discovered some concerning sounds coming from your heater? If you have, then it’s time to call a professional in. You know better than anyone the everyday noises your heater makes. So if anything sounds out of the ordinary, you’re right to be alarmed. For instance, if you hear a clicking sound as your heater cools down, it could be a cracked heat exchanger that you hear contracting. A little less serious, if you hear a rattle it could be a loose component. The problem with this is that the longer you let the sound go unaddressed, the more of a chance there is for it growing into a bigger problem.
Your Heater Is Short-Cycling
This is the name given to the process where a heating system cycles on and off in short, rapid bursts, instead of going through regular heating cycles. Your heater should only cycle on 2-3 times an hour, and run in 10-15 minute increments in order to reach the desired temperature setting on your thermostat. If it is short-cycling, it can mean that there is an electrical problem with your heater. Or, you may have a clogged air filter restricting airflow–fortunately, this problem can be prevented and resolved by you changing the air filter every 1-3 months (depending on the type of filter you have and the level of contaminants in your home).
Higher-Than-Average Energy Bills
You probably pay a lot of attention to your energy bills, since they fluctuate every month. So, you’ll likely notice when they increase far beyond what you paid this same time last year. If this is the case, or if you’re paying a lot more for your utilities than your neighbors are paying for similar use, something is up! It’s a sign that something in your home is working inefficiently, and it could very well be your heater to blame. After all, HVAC systems account for half of all energy use in a home.
DB Heating & Cooling, Inc serves the heating and cooling needs of customers throughout Rockland County, NY as well as Bergen County, NJ and surrounding communities. You can count on us for expert services. Contact us today for professional heating repair in Oradell, NJ!