Signs You Need to Schedule Routine Heater Service
In addition to broken parts, heaters can also suffer from worn-out parts, clogged air filters, and more. Mid-winter, a few months after your annual maintenance visit, is a common time for heater repair issues to crop up. This is because you’ve been using your heater continuously for a few months, and parts that were starting to wear at the start of the season may have finally given out.
Outside your regular heater maintenance, do you know the signs that your heater needs to be serviced? Below we review some common signs that your heating system needs to be serviced and why annual maintenance is so important.
You may need to have your heater serviced if you notice any of the following issues:
- Your heater is making strange sounds when you turn it on
- You notice significant amounts of dust in the air when running the heater
- You smell strange odors or musty smells when running the heater
- Your heater runs much longer than usual to reach the temperature you set
- The heater turns off and on continuously (short-cycling)
- Your utility bill or energy usage has increased unexpectedly
Essentially, if you notice anything off or unusual about how your heater is operating, reach out to our team for an inspection. All of these things can be a sign that your heater is struggling.
The Benefits of Having Your System Inspected Each Year
The number one benefit of scheduling annual or seasonal heater maintenance service is that it can help you extend the lifespan of your current heating system. Furnaces, heat pumps, and HVAC systems are generally expensive, and you want to avoid replacing yours before it’s time. With routine maintenance, you are more likely to catch worn-out parts and small repair issues, fixing them before they have a negative impact on your system’s performance and lifespan.
Other benefits of routine heater maintenance can include the following:
- Improved indoor air quality
- Fewer repair issues
- Lower operating costs
- Greater energy efficiency
When Is the Best Time to Schedule Furnace Maintenance?
While we typically recommend performing furnace and heater maintenance in the early fall, there is never a bad time to schedule your annual heater maintenance visit with us. We appreciate that life gets busy, and our schedules sometimes line up differently than the ideal maintenance window. The important thing is that you have your furnace serviced every year. For some people, late summer is best, but for others, they are more likely to remember at the end of the calendar year or in early spring.
If you need help establishing a furnace or HVAC maintenance routine, reach out to Donmar Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. We can get you going and keep your system in good shape no matter what season.
Don’t Forget to Replace Your Air Filters
While we will change your air filters during your maintenance visit (if needed), it is also recommended that you change your heater’s air filters throughout the season. Generally, changing your filters quarterly is a good rule of thumb. However, many people find that they need to change them more often during the winter. This is because our home’s air quality tends to suffer in the winter. With our windows and doors tightly shut and our furnaces running overtime, you may find that changing your filters every two months or monthly is best, especially if you have pets or suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions.