Maintaining your home’s heating system is essential whether you’ve just moved in or if you have lived in your home for many years or even decades. Knowing the signs you have an issue with your home heating system or your HVAC system is imperative to better determine when it is time to call on the professionals for help. When you are aware of the signs you have an issue with your home’s heating system, you can take the appropriate actions to ensure the issues are inspected and repaired as quickly as possible.
1. Signs of Rust
As a homeowner, one of the major signs you have an issue with your home heating system includes visible signs of rust. Rusting of a heater or of an entire furnace system can indicate that the system is old, outdated, or has been poorly maintained over the years. Make sure to check for rust prior to restocking your heating oil. If you discover signs of rust, it may be time to call on professional HVAC specialists to determine the best course of action to take based on the size, age, and overall condition of your HVAC system.
The Importance of Hiring Professional HVAC Specialists
As a homeowner, knowing when it is time to call on a professional is essential to avoid costly mistakes. If you are inspecting your home’s heating system and you notice that there are signs of rust, mold, or moisture buildup, it may be time to call the local HVAC companies and contractors that are located near you. The right HVAC specialist will help walk you through the issues you are experiencing while assisting you in the process of pinpointing underlying causes or triggers of the problems you are having in your own home with the HVAC system or furnace you have in place.
Professionals who work with HVAC systems and home heating solutions are well-versed in a variety of setups, from traditional furnaces to all-encompassing systems that include both heating and cooling combined. They also have experience working with heating oil if that’s what your home uses. Whether you have an outdated furnace or a modern and energy-efficient system in place, you can work with a professional HVAC specialist to get to the bottom of any issue you are experiencing knowing that they understand the ins and outs of the system you have in your home. Additionally, credible and reputable HVAC specialists are not just experienced and well-versed when it comes to handling HVAC systems but they are also licensed and insured to work in the homes of residential clients.
The Importance of Licensing and Insurance for HVAC Specialists
When you are in need of assistance from a professional HVAC specialist, it is imperative to conduct your due diligence when researching your options to ensure that the contractor or company you choose to hire is not only licensed and certified but also insured. HVAC professionals or heating oil delivery services that are operating without licenses and insurance are placing their clients at risk. If you choose to hire HVAC companies or contractors who are unlicensed and uninsured, you may be held financially and legally liable if they are hurt or injured while they are working on the job, even if they are hurt due to no fault of your own.
Anytime you are in the process of seeking out and hiring HVAC specialists, you should do so only once you have confirmed that the company or contractor that you are interested in hiring is not only certified but also licensed and insured. When you are in the market for a new company or contractor, always take the time to ask directly about certifications, licenses, and insurance proofs. You can also take some time to research and read testimonials regarding the contractors and HVAC companies you are interested in hiring and working with around your own home beforehand.
2. Drips or Leaks Around the Oil Filter
Seeing water or any type of liquid surrounding your oil filter or furnace itself is one of the biggest signs you have an issue with your home heating system. Whether you are currently using home heating oil with your furnace or if you use a local heating oil delivery service, you will need to inspect your home heating system or furnace frequently to ensure there is no oil leaking or any other type of moisture buildup occurring around the bottom of your system itself. Moisture buildup can cause your furnace to malfunction and, in time, may even permanently damage the components involved.
3. Strange Noises
Another one of the telltale signs you have an issue with your home heating system is that you begin hearing unusual or strange noises coming from the furnace itself. While some occasional noises may be normal, if you notice squealing, increasing banging sounds, or even sounds that mimic rattling, it may be time to find the right HVAC company near you. Working with local HVAC companies is a way for you to get to the bottom of an issue involving strange noises and your furnace without having to do so on your own with guesswork involved.
How to Find the Best HVAC Companies to Address Unusual Furnace Sounds
Knowing how to find the best HVAC companies to address unusual furnace sounds is also essential, whether you’re currently a homeowner yourself or if you are investing in residential properties. Finding the best HVAC companies if you are working on your own home can be done by asking neighbors and those who live in the same city as you for their own recommendations. You can ask local business owners for their advice or reference local business directories for guidance if they are available where you currently live.
You can also take a bit of your own time to research HVAC companies and local contractors near you online. Searching online for different HVAC companies and contractors is possible with the use of social media, traditional search engines, and by visiting the official websites of the companies you are most interested in for the HVAC work you require in your own home. Searching online for HVAC companies and contractors can help streamline the process while providing you with many more options than if you are limited to just local references and recommendations from those you know.
4. Home Isn’t Heating Properly
If you are a homeowner, one of the biggest signs you have an issue with your HVAC system is that your home is simply not heating properly. When you are not getting enough heat or it does not seem as if your HVAC system is even working when it is turned on, it may be time to seek out a trusted local HVAC contractor that can help you to get to the bottom of the issue. Whenever your home is not heating properly, you may want to consider temporary heat rentals, especially if your heat is out for any extended period of time or during the coldest times of the year, depending on where you currently live and reside.
Signs That Your Home Is Not Heating Properly
There can be many issues associated with an HVAC system when your home is simply not heating properly. A common sign that your home is not heating properly is that it is difficult for you to maintain the same temperature consistently throughout each day, even if you have a programmable thermostat in place. If you discover that your heater does not always turn on when it is supposed to, it may be time for a professional inspection to get to the bottom of the issue.
Common Causes of an Unreliable HVAC System
Unfortunately, all HVAC systems age just as any other component or fixture in the home. If your HVAC system is old, outdated, or has not been maintained well throughout the past few years, it has a greater risk of breaking down and becoming increasingly unreliable. The condition of your HVAC system will also depend on the type of furnace you have in place and whether it is simply outdated and in need of a replacement or if it may require new components or an extensive repair job.
5. Furnace Turns On and Off
Another common sign that you may be experiencing an issue with your home heating system is that your furnace short-cycles, which means it turns on and off frequently throughout the day. If you notice that your furnace is turning on and off without you taking any action, there could be a chance that your furnace is too powerful for your existing home or there may be another issue involved that requires a professional inspection. For those who are unfamiliar with conducting a furnace inspection on their own, turning to professional HVAC installers is highly recommended.
Risks of a Furnace Turning On and Off
Avoiding the issue when your furnace is short-cycling is never advisable, regardless of the type of system you have installed and its age or overall condition. If a furnace is turning on and off without your input, there may be an electrical shortage causing the problem, which can lead to further electrical problems if it is not tended to immediately. Additionally, allowing your furnace to turn on and off without you taking any action or having any input may lead to damage to the furnace and much higher energy bills.
6. Furnace Doesn’t Turn On at All
One of the most obvious and notable signs you have an issue with your furnace or heating system at home is that it simply will no longer turn on at all. Even if you have inspected all connections to your heating system and you are sure that you have not made any changes to it and it is no longer coming on, you may require a complete replacement or a new installation of a brand-new furnace. To determine the type of furnace repairs or replacement service you will require for your own furnace, it is best to call on a home heating contractor or local HVAC company that you can trust.
How Home Heating Contractors Can Assist With a Furnace That Doesn’t Turn On
Home heating contractors can inspect your furnace and get to know more about the type of system you have in place, even if it is old and outdated. During your official inspection, you can also ask questions regarding your furnace, such as how to properly maintain it and its overall condition. Heating contractors can pinpoint small issues or determine if it is time for you to start thinking of a brand-new installation or a replacement of your old furnace altogether. When you have a heating contractor by your side, you can feel confident in the decisions you make knowing the input comes from a qualified expert in the field.
7. Foul Odors
Noticing a foul odor coming from your furnace or heating system altogether is another sign that it may be time for a professional inspection. Foul odors that are coming from a heating system can indicate that a motor or another component inside the furnace has gone bad or is on the way out. Depending on the smell of the odor you are experiencing each time you are near the furnace, you may also be experiencing a buildup of moisture, which can lead to even bigger issues if it is not addressed immediately.
Learning about the most common signs you have an issue with your home heating system is extremely beneficial whether you’re a homeowner yourself or if you currently invest in residential properties on the side. When you are aware of the signs you have an issue with your home’s HVAC and heating system, you can find the right contractors or HVAC companies to assist with the repairs, replacements, or new installation services you may need. The more you understand about the basic operations of your home heating system, the easier it will be for you to identify major problems that require the assistance of local professionals near you.