Whether you have a furnace or a heat pump, you’re bound to experience issues with your system at some point. While dealing with repairs is never fun, it can be a little less frustrating when you know what problems to look for.
After all, you don’t want to wait until your home is freezing cold before realizing your heater needs to be repaired!
At Aire Serv, we proudly assist Ft Worth families with their HVAC needs, and we’re here to share our knowledge about the most common heater problems homeowners face. If you’re wondering how you can treat and avoid these dilemmas, you’ve come to the right place!
1. Your Fort Worth House Is Not Heating Up
If your heater isn’t warming up your home, you certainly have a problem on your hands. One potential cause for this is that your furnace or heat pump is the wrong size for your home. When this is the case, your system will struggle to push the warm air throughout the entire house. As a result, some rooms may be warm while others may be ice cold.
Other reasons your house isn’t heating up could be that you have a faulty thermostat or a dirty air filter. Scheduling annual heater maintenance can help prevent these problems and allow you to catch any issues early.
In some cases, inefficient heating may mean that your furnace or heat pump needs to be replaced — especially if the system is over 15 years old. If you’re unsure how to solve your heating problem, Aire Serv is here to examine your furnace and help you determine the next best steps.
2. Energy Bills Are High
No one likes the surprise of a bill that’s way higher than normal. Unfortunately, heater issues can lead to unusually high energy bills. If you notice a spike in energy usage, your heater may be experiencing one or more of the following issues:
- Old age
- Clogged air filter
- Dirty or damaged air ducts
- Dirty heat pump condenser or evaporator coils
Depending on the issue, you may need to schedule repairs or even replace your heater entirely. A new system may be necessary because as units age, they become less efficient. In these cases, the price of a new unit can be offset by the money saved each month on electricity bills.
3. Your Heater Is Making Strange Noises
The only noise you should hear from your heater is a quiet hum. If you hear any loud pops, buzzes or bangs, you should contact an HVAC technician. These sounds can be caused by many different problems, such as a:
- Broken motor
- Loose part
- Failing valve
- Broken fan or belt
- Faulty ignition
Don’t ignore unusual sounds! Failing to address issues in your heater can lead to greater damage that may even require a system replacement.
4. Strange Smells Are Coming From The Heater
When you first turn on your heater after it gets cold out, it’s normal to smell a slight burning odor. This just means the dust that builds up during the summer is heating up and burning off. However, if the smell persists or any other smells are present, this issue should be addressed immediately to ensure serious damage doesn’t occur.
Unusual smells may also be caused by faulty electrical wiring, animal infestations or mold growth. Each of these problems can be serious, and some even have the potential to result in electrical fires. To protect you and your family, don’t ignore unpleasant smells. Instead, call Aire Serv to investigate the issue and provide any necessary repairs.
5. The Pilot Light Is Yellow
If you have a gas furnace, it’s extremely important to not ignore a yellow pilot light on your system. While this issue can be caused by dirt or dust, it can also mean that carbon monoxide is leaking from the furnace. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that can cause serious health issues and even death.
If you think a gas leak may be present, turn off the furnace and leave your home immediately. Contact emergency services and your electrician to figure out the next steps.
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea/vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Headache
- Confusion
If you are exposed to carbon monoxide, it’s important to receive medical attention as soon as possible as extended exposure to this gas can cause death.
Schedule Your Ft Worth Heater Repairs With Aire Serv
Don’t be left wondering what to do when your heater is not working. At Aire Serv, our HVAC technicians are here to provide furnace and heat pump troubleshooting and repair services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
