With the unpredictable nature of Melbourne’s weather, Victorians rely on their heating system to be in working order all year round. However, these systems can encounter issues and knowing the cause of these problems and how to fix them is crucial to ensuring your heating system is efficient and functional. Here are 10 common heating problems and how to fix them.
1. Irregular Maintenance Of Your Heating System
One of the most critical issues we see with heating systems is an irregular maintenance schedule. People often become complacent after installing their heating and cooling systems and forget to have a professional service regularly. This can lead to further issues arising and the potential of higher energy bills. Problems with your heating may also arrive if an inexperienced technician maintains it. Improper maintenance can lead to clogged air filters, mould or even a broken system.
Scheduling a professional electric or gas heater service on a regular basis is the best way to avoid any larger repairs or replacements.
2. Clogged Or Dirty Air Filters
A common issue that can arise without regular inspection of your electric or gas heater are clogged air filters. When these filters become dirty, they will have a hard time circulating air throughout your home. This can also affect the overall quality of the air you breathe. The air filters in your ducted heating system can become clogged for a variety of reasons. From a lack of maintenance to pet hair in the home or even the pollution levels in the area you live in. Whatever the reason, having a professional regularly clean your filters is a great way to avoid the problem. Another thing to consider is having your air filters replaced when need be to ensure your central heating system is running smoothly.
Learn more about how the experts at John’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning can help you maintain your Ducted Heating System here.
3. Mould In Your Air Ducts
Poor insulation and irregular maintenance can lead to moisture building up in your gas or electric heater system. This can result in mould growth in your ducts or your heater’s furnace. The best step you can take to avoid this issue is regular maintenance by an experienced indoor heating technician. They can clean your heating system and inspect whether or not more can be done to improve your insulation. Improper installation may mean your indoor gas heater system is not insulated or sealed correctly and may need to be addressed in order to stop moisture from getting in.
4. Cold Air Coming From Your Heater
There are a number of reasons as to why cold air is coming out of your central heating system. A great first step is to check the thermostat to ensure it is set to your desired temperature. If you already have, adjust it to a higher temperature to see if it makes a difference. If there is still no heat coming from your heater, move on to checking the air filter. As described above, a dirty air filter can make it difficult for air to circulate and, as a result, restrict how much heat your heating system is producing. While you’re at it, check the pilot light to see if it is lit. An unlit pilot light may mean that the gas valve is closed. Finally, a common reason for cold air in your heating system is leaks in your air ducts. Any one of these issues can cause this problem, and the best way to assess the leading cause for no heat is to have your heating system inspected by a qualified professional. All of these problems are fixable, and after detecting whether maintenance, repair or replacement is necessary, an experienced technician will have your heater keeping you warm again in no time.
Learn more about the heating services offered by the experts at John’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning here.
5. A Faulty Thermostat
If you are getting heat but not the right temperature, your main issue might be your thermostat. A great place to start is by following any troubleshooting information that came with the thermostat or your heating system. For digital thermostats, it may be as simple as replacing the batteries or performing a hard reset. It is also worth checking if all the wiring is plugged in correctly in the thermostat. If none of this helps fix the problem, the cause may have something to do with the wiring of the thermostat. In this case, a professional service provider can assess the fault and whether a repair or replacement is in order.
6. Strange Noises Coming From Your Heating System
It’s relatively normal to hear your heating system as it works. If, however, you hear an abnormal or increasing loud noise, there may be a problem. This issue is usually related to an airflow problem, which would indicate that your air filters may need to be replaced. The best way to avoid this common heating problem altogether is to ensure that you regularly schedule maintenance for your heating system. That way, an indoor heating expert can keep your system in great shape and take steps to prevent further issues from arriving.
7. A Burning Smell Coming From Your Air Ducts
It is not uncommon for a burning smell to come from your air ducts while your heating system is running. This issue is likely caused by a build-up of dirt or moisture. A burning smell may be the result of not running your ducted heating system for a while. Over a long period of unuse, dust and dirt can accumulate. So when you do use your heater after a long period of time, it can burn this debris. It may also be the result of burning the dust clogged in a dirty air filter.
Replacing this filter and cleaning up as much dust as you can help alleviate this issue. If, however, this smell persists, it is advised that you turn off your heating system and schedule an inspection from an experienced heating technician. They can investigate the issue and advise on the best way to fix it.
8. Leaks In Your Air Ducts
Leaky ducts are difficult to detect but are an issue that needs to be resolved as soon as it is discovered. Leaks can increase bill costs and reduce the efficiency of your heating system. Simply put, the air is leaking from the ducts before it can reach you. If you find that your home is not being heated evenly or the air quality produced by your heating system is poor, contact a qualified heating technician to assess the issue immediately. Leaks are a fixable issue, and addressing them will go a long way in improving your systems energy efficiency and performance.
9. Issues With Your Pilot Light Or Ignition System
As mentioned above, one of the leading reasons why your indoor gas heating system is not producing heat is because of an issue with your pilot light. Newer furnaces do not have pilot lights but rather an electronic ignition. In either case, a fault in these systems can be common but are a repairable issue. If you suspect there is an issue with your ignition or your pilot is not on, double-check that the gas valve is not closed. If this is not the issue, it is likely a mechanical failure and having a heating expert inspect your ignition system is a must. These faults may occur due to irregular maintenance, and an inspection can help the technician determine whether a repair or replacement is necessary.
10. Your Heating System Won’t Turn Off
Finally, you may encounter an issue where your heating system won’t turn off. This could present as your heater continuously running or blowing hot air after you’ve turned it off. The first step is to ensure that your system is not set to ‘auto’. When set to ‘auto’, your heating system will only turn off once it has reached its set temperature. If this isn’t the case, or the issue persists after disabling the ‘auto’ function, your thermostat may be the problem. Take the suggested steps we mentioned above to troubleshoot your thermostat, and if the issue still persists, the thermostat may need to be replaced. Schedule for a qualified heating technician to investigate this issue, and they can advise on whether a replacement or repair is required to fix your heating system.
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These common heating problems are all fixable, but you can avoid these problems altogether with regular maintenance of your heating system. The expert technicians at John’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning can keep any heating system in working condition and advise on extra steps you can take to ensure that your heater works properly for years to come.
To schedule a maintenance service, or enquire about one of these common heating problems, contact the friendly team at John’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning today.