With a recent bout of cold weather in Florida, more people are concerned about their home heating systems. It’s good to be a bit concerned since that helps homeowners be more aware of the importance of a central heating system—something often overlooked in Florida’s weather.
You probably were recently running your central heating in Panama City, FL, so this is a good time to ask yourself if you noticed anything unusual about it. Knowing the signs to look for can help you react quickly to have the heating system repaired before you need to use it again. You’ll avoid future heating troubles, including a central heater that won’t work at all!
Don’t know what to watch for? We’re here to help! In fact, we operate under the H.E.L.P. principle to ensure that we give the very best to our customers on each and every call or visit. H.E.L.P. stands for honesty, empathy, loyalty, and professionalism, no matter what.
Below, you’ll find a list of common warning signs of a heating system that needs our H.E.L.P.
1. Odd sounds
Modern heating systems don’t make much noise as they run aside from some whirring motors and the whoosh of air. It mostly becomes white noise during the winter. But if that white noise starts to become plain ol’ noise, something is not right. Warning sounds include clanging, rattling, mechanical squealing, grinding, hissing, clicking, and buzzing. Have experts take a look at the problem as soon as possible.
2. Uneven heating
One of the first warnings that a heating system is losing its heating capacity is when cold spots start to appear around the house. If you notice that the center of your home is warming up just fine, but more distant rooms are colder than normal, your heater is likely losing its capacity.
3. Low airflow from the vents
The blower fan for a forced-air heater, such as a furnace or heat pump, is one of its most powerful components. A malfunctioning blower will lead to lower airflow coming from the vents and also decreased comfort. This low airflow can also indicate trouble with the ductwork. We recommend you check the air filter for your heater first before calling us since a clogged filter will affect airflow.
4. Short-cycling
This refers to when a heating system only runs for a short time before turning off, then turning back on again a short time later. If a heating system is cycling on and off more than five times per hour, it’s a problem that professionals will need to investigate right away.
Short cycling puts extra pressure on the heater, leading to more repairs and a possible early replacement. It also drains energy. There are many potential underlying causes of short cycling, and only professionals can correctly diagnose which one you’re dealing with.
5. High energy bills
Are your energy bills for the winter much higher than you expect? If you can’t account for it with increased use, it’s likely that a malfunctioning heating system is drawing on more power than normal. Repairs will get those bills under control and avoid even bigger problems in the future.
Contact Parker Services, Inc for all your home comfort needs. Comfort’s just a call away!