That weather forecast is definitely telling us something, and that something is that winter is on its way once more! You’ve already been running your heater, we’re sure, but its days of work are in their infancy for this heating season. There is a whole lot more, a whole lot colder, weather coming our way, and you need to know that your heater is going to be there for you throughout the worst of it. Routine maintenance is the best insurance in this regard.
Even when you have your heater in great working condition, though, there is a chance that it is going to run into operational problems of some kind. There is simply no such thing as a 100% reliable heater, and anyone claiming that they have one to sell you can probably find you a really good deal on a bridge, too.
Get Different Senses Involved!
People will tell you to keep your eyes open and to look for signs of trouble, but this is really only part of the equation. You need to get more than just your sense of sight involved, though that is of course important. What kinds of warning signs should be aware?
- Look for signs of trouble in your energy bills. What might this look like? Sudden spikes in the cost associated with heating your home that you cannot explain away by higher than normal usage levels. Yes, you’ll be paying more to heat your home the more you have to heat it. If your usage isn’t really any different than years previous, however, but you are paying much more, then there is likely a problem affecting efficiency.
- Listen for sounds of trouble, too. What do sounds of trouble sound like? It may just be that your heater is operating louder than usual. However, you may also start to hear new, unfamiliar sounds coming from the system. Maybe it’s making a grinding, banging, or screeching sound. Whatever the case, we’ll figure out precisely what is wrong. Don’t ignore sounds that could mean big trouble is brewing!
- Feel for cool air coming from your vents. If you do feel air that just is not hot enough, check to make sure that your thermostat is set properly. You may even have left a heat pump in cooling mode, or have your system set to “fan-only”. You may also find that your system is heating, but it is failing to do so evenly. Don’t put up with cold spots throughout your living space!
- Smell for any signs of trouble, as this could actually help you to avoid a potentially dangerous situation in your home. We are not here to alarm you, but keep in mind that odors of natural gas or burning in your home could definitely mean that there is an unsafe situation brewing. When properly installed and maintained, modern heaters are typically quite safe. Nothing is foolproof, though, so schedule heating repairs in Springfield, VT, the moment you smell these warning signs.
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