As soon as the winter arrives, most people often feel worried about how they will afford the bills. The energy cost has risen over the years and in winter the shocks can be felt. However, modern problems demand modern solutions, which can only be possible by updating the heating system which could give some relief to the households.
Nowadays, you can find central heating and boilers to be energy efficient and help you control your energy bills. Moreover, smart thermostats are also ideal for scheduling your heating and cooling requirements at different times of the day.
Some thermostats are also equipped with a geofencing feature to know the exact location of your phone. Once you are near the home, it will automatically turn on the heating system to make it warm and cozy before you enter the home.
However, if you are using an old heating system, even smart thermostats fail to perform well. There are plenty of warning signs that your home’s heating system needs a repair or will stop functioning. What are the warning signs and how you could replace your old heating system with a new one? Here’s everything you need to know.
- Thermostat Shows Warning
Smart and modern thermostats are ideal for controlling your heating bills and maintaining ideal temperature. However, if your heating system is not working properly, some thermostats may send alerts or notifications about the fault.
Make sure to keep an eye on your thermostat for any unusual signs or indications. Once you identify those signs, make sure to refer to the user guide and find out what the indication is all about. If it is something related to a thermostat, there is no need to worry about it much. However, if the indication refers to a fault in your heating system, make sure to act quickly before it goes out of control.
- Not Heating up as it Used to Be
One of the warning signs of the heating system not working properly is when it takes longer than usual to heat up your home. Normally, heating systems require regular maintenance and repair every year. All it comes down to is cleaning air filters to checking parts.
With the passage of time, your heating system becomes inefficient and produces less heat while consuming more energy. However, if your heating system such as a boiler is old, you may need to replace it immediately not only to enhance its heating performance but also to control energy bills. If you are unable to afford to replace your old boiler, you can apply for the ECO4 scheme. For more info about the ECO scheme and boiler replacement, click here.
- Your Energy Bills are Surging
Heating system failure also results in increasing your energy bills. Make sure to look at your energy bills over the past few months. If there is an increase every month, you need to take it seriously.
Over time, your heating system becomes inefficient and consumes more energy, which results in high energy bills. This warning sign demands you call a professional to check it up and fix the issue. Or you need to replace it with a new one to control your energy bills and ensure its optimal performance.
- Your Heating System Produces Sound
When your heating system is producing weird sounds, you need to take a closer look. Probably, the weird sounds are coming from the ductwork. One of the reasons could also be your air filters that are clogged with dust and need to be changed.
If your filter is clogged with dust, make sure to clean the filter or change it. When the weather is extremely cold, the heating system may need to work more to heat up the room. As a result, more dust accumulates and results in weird noises. If changing or cleaning the filter does not work, you may need to call a technician as the problem lies in your heating system and not the filter.
- You have not Taken Care of its Maintenace
When was the last time you spent money on your heating system’s maintenance and repair? Probably years have passed and the performance has declined. Just like any other machine that requires regular maintenance, the heating system is no exception.
The only way to make your heating system work for a longer period is to take care of its maintenance and servicing. If you have not done yet, you may consider it now. The warning signs that we have discussed can be fixed through regular maintenance.
- Lights not Turning on Properly
One of the early warning signs of your heating system failure is when lights do not turn on properly. Some of the parts of the heating system are not working properly. It could possibly be due to an electrical or mechanical fault in your heating system.
The only way to fix it is by calling a professional. If you want to try it on your own, you can go with a soft start kit, which helps reduce the stress on your heating system when the compressor turns on.
- Strong Odor Near Heating System
Another warning sign of heating system failure is when you feel strong odor near your heating system. The strong odor might be due to accumulation of bacteria, mold, or dust. If you feel any pungent smell near the unit, call a professional to get it fixed. Not taking timely action would result in a hefty blow to your budget for repair.
- Poor Air Flow
If your heating system’s air flow is not as strong as it used to be, it’s a warning your heating system needs a repair. Poor air flow means your heating system will work for longer hours without heating up the home. As a result, it would reflect in your bills.
Summing Up
We have discussed some of the early warning signs you should look out for in your heating system. Further delay might give a hefty blow to your budget as the new heating systems are quite expensive.