Save the Chills for Halloween, Not the Broken Heater

Creepy Signs of a Broken Heater

Halloween is just around that corner, so temperatures everywhere are starting to drop. Chills are a necessary consequence of Halloween, but they also indicate that the heater isn’t ready for the home. 

For a homeowner, what can be scarier than the prospect of a cold home on Halloween night? Instead of cowering in fear, do a little investigating. Here are a few of the signs that the heater is failing. 

A Chilly Home 

The thermostat is the first thing everyone needs to check when the temperatures outside start to drop. Every year, qualified professionals get sent to service calls for heater problems only to find that the thermostat hasn’t been adjusted to the heater setting. Always check this before calling a professional. This can save the owner and the technician time and hassle. 

If the thermostat is set to the proper setting, then a qualified professional will need to be called to do a little more investigation. A common cause for this is a tripped breaker or a power surge that has caused the heater to be disconnected from its power source. Technicians can determine the cause of the surge and make any repairs necessary to keep the house from being chilly. 

Spooky Unusual Sounds

Often, spooky sounds are the earliest and most accurate sign that something is wrong with the heater. Some of the spooky sounds that are common are: 

• Grinding: This is an indication of a mechanical problem. Usually, this is caused by bad bearing or dry bearing. Additionally, metal parts can rub together and make noise if moving parts are out of alignment. 
• Squealing: Loose belts are the likely cause of a high-pitched shriek. Belts can easily be tightened or replaced by licensed professionals. 
• Banging: Banging can be a sign of seriously dangerous gas problems. Don’t clean or adjust burners! Always hire professional help for gas issues. 
• Thumping: Heat causes metal to expand. Most ductwork in a home is metal and can make dull thumping noises as it expands when the heater comes on. 

Energy Bills are Scarier Than Usual 

Utility bills usually only go one direction: up. But this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case, and large spikes can show something is wrong with the heater. A well-maintained heater runs more efficiently than one that is neglected. Tracking utility bills can be a great reminder to schedule seasonal maintenance on the heater. When homeowners notice large spikes, they should remember that they can save money by restoring lost efficiency. 

In addition to efficiency, fall maintenance can fix problems that rob efficiency from the heater. Simply by allowing a qualified professional to look at the equipment, homeowners can get problems fixed before they waste expensive and unnecessary energy.

About All Clear Plumbing

All Clear Plumbing has been a family-owned business for 70 years. Live-answered service is always available 24/7 for heating and cooling problems. Call today to schedule fast, highly-rated heating service in Belleville, NJ. 

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