With winter on its way, homeowners across the country are taking steps to ensure that their families will be prepared. One of the most important steps homeowners must take is to ensure that their home heating systems are in good shape. Read on to find out about a few common signs it’s time for Boiler Repair in Bainbridge Island to see if it’s worth hiring a repair technician before the temperatures start to drop.
Strange Noises
There are three common issues that lead residential boilers to make strange sounds. The most common and least serious of them is mineral buildup, which also causes uneven water distribution and overheating problems. The other two are problems with the unit’s fan or pump, both of which need to be kept in good working order to avoid premature equipment failures.
A heating technician can diagnose the source of strange sounds and suggest appropriate repairs. It’s best to have these issues diagnosed now before the weather gets any colder, so give the home’s heating system a test run to see if anything sounds amiss.
Unpleasant Odors
Homeowners should take unpleasant odors even more seriously than boilers that go bump in the night. They can indicate gas leaks, which need to be repaired immediately. Gas leaks pose serious health and safety hazards, so call for emergency repairs and turn the unit off until the technician arrives.
Pilot Light Problems
If the pilot light won’t stay on, sediment buildup may be to blame. If the flame burns yellow instead of blue, this is a much more serious problem. Changes to the color of the pilot light usually indicate carbon monoxide leaks, which can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and eventually death.
Excessive Heating Bills
Every homeowner will notice an uptick in his or her heating bills as the temperatures drop, but the difference in home heating cost should be about the same as it was last year. If homeowners’ bills are significantly higher than they should be, the unit may not be functioning as efficiently as possible. Call a technician to make sure everything is in order or, if the unit is more than a decade old, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model.
The Bottom Line
It’s never a good idea to put off Boiler Repair in Bainbridge Island. Homeowners who notice any of the problems described above should call for service as soon as possible.