Fall is in full swing, which means winter is just around the corner. Soon you will be turning on your heater to stay warm and cozy in your home. Turn on your heater before it gets too cold to make sure it is working properly. It may be time for a tune-up, so fire it up before it is too cold and you are left without heat for a day or two while waiting on a repairman. You can avoid expensive repairs by keeping your heater tuned up and in good shape. Here are 3 signs it’s time for a tune-up.
Your Heater Isn’t Producing Heat
If your heater isn’t producing enough heat, it is definitely time for a tune-up. This seems obvious and maybe even a little silly to mention, but it is not uncommon for people to delay repairs in hopes that it will warm up eventually. Your heater is a machine that can’t fix itself, so if it is malfunctioning it is up to you to call out a repairman to check it out.
If your heater is not heating your home to a comfortable temperature, it is time for a tune-up. Don’t try to tough it out, the Dallas winter get’s intensely moist and cold. Stay warm and stay safe, it is time for a tune-up if your heater isn’t heating properly.
Your Heater Is Producing a Strange Smell
It is relatively normal for a heater to emit a strange smell for a few minutes the first time you turn it on for the season. Your heater sat unused for months over the summer, so it will of course need just a little time to warm up. If it continues to smell weird for more than just a few minutes, it’s time for a tune-up.
Dust and debris can build up in your heater over time. Leaves from the fall, grass clippings from summer, and pollen from last spring are all things that collect on and around your heater. They build up and when you turn your heater on for the first time of the winter season, it can cause a strange smell.
An HVAC professional can clean the debris out quickly and easily, and address any other problems that may be causing a smell.
Your Heater Is Making Weird Noises
If you notice strange sounds coming from the direction of your heater, it’s time for a tune-up. If you hear things like hissing, grinding, or clanging, call a professional for help. Problems such as hissing could indicate a crack in the pipe, and a crack in the pipe can be very dangerous. Depending on which pipe could be cracked, you could be losing valuable warm air or it could be releasing gas into the air or your home.
Both of these issues are dangerous, if gas is leaking that is a severe danger to your health and safety. People need oxygen to breathe, not natural gas. Not to mention the other dangers and fire hazards associated with gas usage.
If it is leaking hot air into the air and not your home, your gas bill will be much higher due to the fact you will have to run your heater at a higher temperature and for longer periods of time to get any heat in your home while the rest of it escapes into the air outside. It is time for a tune-up when you hear strange noises.
Call Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating For A Tune-Up
It is time for a tune-up! Call Ellis Air Conditioning And Heating at (972) 362-1501 for your winter tune-up. Don’t tough these problems out. They won’t get better without the hands of a professional repairman. Contact us with any heating problems you may have. Our repairmen can get your heater back to 100% in no time.