Don’t Allow a Broken Heater to Ruin The Holidays!
The holidays can be stressful for many people. The shopping, cooking, cleaning, preparing, and decorating can all seem overwhelming. This is why it’s no surprise that people turn into Ebenezer Scrooge when something goes wrong with their heater in the midst of the holidays. It’s an understandable reaction. They just want the holidays to be over with so the stress will go away. However, even if they could make the holidays pass in the blink of an eye, it wouldn’t change anything about the heater. So, this article is all about keeping homeowners happy and warm during the holiday season. No “Bah humbugs” here! Just helpful tips about heater and furnace repair.
Signs A Heater is Breaking
Knowing when it’s time for heater repair is half the battle. It’s too easy to get caught up in the joy during the holidays and ignore the telltale signs that a home’s heater is failing. Here are a few of the most common signs a heater is failing.
Temperature fluctuations mean there’s something wrong with the heater. This often means that the heater is struggling to warm the home, and it’s easy to determine by monitoring the thermostat for a little while. Short cycling is a similar issue. This is when the heater keeps turning on and off quickly, failing to provide heat to the whole home. Another telltale sign involves the noises coming from the unit. Banging, screeching, squealing, and knocking usually indicate an issue with the fan, motor, or belt.
Finally, the color of the burner flame should be checked by homeowners who suspect a malfunctioning heater. The flame should be blue, not yellow. A yellow flame means that the gas isn’t being burned off completely and should be addressed by a professional immediately.
Inspect the Thermostat
For many heater issues, HVAC techs advise homeowners to inspect the thermostat first. Someone in the house may have changed the settings, or perhaps the batteries have died.
It’s easy to take off the outer case on a manual thermostat and look for dust and dirt built up inside. If the metal connections are gunked up, it could be affecting the heater’s performance. For newer thermostats, the computer can often tell the homeowner if it senses an issue.
How to Prepare for a Technician
Once a homeowner has determined that the thermostat isn’t to blame for the issue, it’s time to call a professional. There are a few things that HVAC techs advise homeowners do to prepare for a tech. These are easily done and make for a smooth visit.
First, it’s a good idea to move any storage boxes or other items away from the unit. This will provide easy access for the tech. Second, homeowners should prepare any questions they have about pricing, issues, and proper maintenance practices. And finally, allow enough time for the visit. Sometimes the repair is quick, while others it may take a bit longer than expected.
About Alliance Expert Services
The folks at Alliance Expert Services have been happy to serve OKC for over 30 years. Their techs show up on time, perform excellent work, and leave the place cleaner than they found it. They offer a guarantee on all of their work and upfront pricing on every job. Call Alliance Expert Services today for heater repair in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas.
