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Solve These Heater Issues Quickly

Winter is almost here, whether people like it or not. The days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are getting colder. Homeowners need to prepare themselves and their homes for the coming months. As the fall turns into winter, now is the best time to make sure everything is running as it should to keep the home comfortable throughout the winter. 

The heater is one of the most significant components of the HVAC system and is used constantly during the winter. It’s critical to inspect the home’s heater to make sure it’s ready to take on the responsibility of keeping the house cozy indoors when the temperature drops below freezing. Homeowners should also keep a close eye out for the common signs of heater malfunction. 

Heater Blowing Cold Air

The purpose of the heater is to produce and distribute warm air through the house. Therefore, if the heater can no longer do this and starts blowing cold air instead of warm air, this is a clear sign of heater malfunction. There are a few things homeowners should check when this happens. 

• Take a look at the thermostat. If it’s set too low, cold air will start blowing instead of warm air. Luckily, this is an easy one to fix.
• See if the air filters need changing. If the air filters are too dirty, this could be preventing warm air from being distributed throughout the house.
• Check the pilot light. If the pilot light is broken or has a yellow flame instead of a blue flame, this could be causing the cold air as well. 

Odd Noises

When the heater is experiencing a problem, it’s great at communicating that problem to the homeowner. If it isn’t blowing cold air to tell the homeowner that something is wrong, it might start making loud, unusual noises instead.

• Scraping and grinding noises typically signal that something is wrong with the blower wheel. Old age or wear and tear may be causing the component to malfunction, and it likely needs replacing.
• For gas furnaces, banging noises are another typical sound of heater malfunction. When the gas burner is too dirty, it delays the ignition. All of that gas starts to build up over time, and when the burners finally ignite, it results in a loud bang.
• Screeching noises can signal a problem with several heater components: the blower motor, the blower belt, or the shaft bearings. Poor maintenance and lack of oiling and lubrication are common causes for this type of breakdown.

Pilot Light Turns Yellow

In a normal heater, the pilot light burns blue. Blue is the natural color of a flame when it has adequate oxygen. But if this oxygen is restricted, the pilot light can turn from blue to yellow. As a result, the flame is not as hot and can go out frequently, causing the gas supply to shut off. 

Additionally, since the yellow flame is weaker, it can’t eliminate all the carbon monoxide that the blue light can burn. This puts the health of homeowners and their families at risk as the poisonous can start leaking into the rest of the house. 

The most common reason for this problem is the buildup of dirt on the air intake valve. This is why it’s so critical for homeowners to have their heater checked. A maintenance check could identify this buildup of dirt and resolve this problem before turning the heat on.

About Heidler, Inc.

Heidler, Inc. has been leading the way in plumbing and heating innovation since 1947. Their team of experts continuously keeps up to date on the plumbing and heating industry’s latest advancements. By staying educated on new trends and technologies, they can provide the quality heater repair services Annapolis homeowners deserve.

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