Many people rely on central heating to keep the living space warm during the chilly months, but it can be daunting to find that this device isn’t working correctly. If you’re interested in learning how to tell if your heater is malfunctioning, keep reading. You’ll find a handful of signs to watch out for.

5 Signs Your Heater is Malfunctioning

It’s Covered in Dust: Dust might not seem like a big problem, but it can damage your heater. If layers of dust are coating it, this could make it difficult for the heater to function correctly. In addition to this, dust could make it harder for the heater to spread clean air through your home.

It’s Old: Heaters tend to have a lifespan of around 20 years. If your heater is approaching or has surpassed this age, it might not be working as well as it should. Because of this, you might find it takes longer for the device to power on or it doesn’t send enough hot air through your home.

There’s Cold Air Blowing Out of It: A sure sign that your heater is malfunctioning is that it’s blowing cold air. This can be the result of various things, especially a dirty filter which can make it hard for its flame sensor to operate.

It’s Making Strange Noises: If you hear your heater making weird noises, you’ll need to get it checked out. This usually indicates that an interior piece has either fallen off or is loose. Sometimes it could also be a sign that there’s a problem with the gas ignition.

Your Heating Bill Has Skyrocketed: A malfunctioning heater can cause your heating bill to significantly increase. Most of the time, this shows that the heater isn’t functioning properly and is trying too hard to correct the problem. Because of this, it will exert a lot of energy, but not provide enough heat for the amount of work it’s doing.

How to Keep Your Heater in Good Condition

If you want to keep your heater in good condition, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

One is to change the heater’s filters every three months to ensure your heater circulates air freely. It will also prevent dust blockages that could prevent the heater from turning on.
You can also keep your heater functioning well by wiping down floor vents. These lead to the ductwork that connect your heater. If they are covered in dirt and debris, these particles will get sent into your heater. By making sure the vents are spotless, it will help the heater send more clean air into the room.

Heaters are durable devices but they can run into some problems. If you’re concerned that your heater isn’t working correctly, Dale HCS can help. Our team will check your heating system to find where the problem might be and come up with a plan to quickly fix it.