The Central Valley can experience difficult conditions during the winter that people outside of California wouldn’t expect. We get an average of 14 nights per winter when the temperature drops below freezing. You definitely need to be prepared for that. More importantly, your heater needs to be prepared for that, whether it’s a furnace, heat pump, or another type of system.
Don’t put off necessary repairs—one of those freezing nights will come along and you’ll find yourself shivering in the cold with a busted system. We have three signs you should pay attention to which often indicate a need for repairs. For top-quality repair service, look to the Fresno, CA heating repair professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.
3 common indications you should call for heating repair:
1. Odd smells coming from the vents: Most Fresno homes use a forced-air distribution system to provide warmth, such as a furnace or a heat pump. Under normal operation, you shouldn’t detect any strong odors in the air coming from the vents. But if you notice something strange, like a musty or dusty smell, then you likely have problems with your heater’s ducts. They may have developed breaks, and this will reduce the heater’s ability to reach its target temperature, forcing it to work harder.
2. Loud, jarring noises: If you notice grinding and humming sounds from the heater’s cabinet that you normally don’t hear, you may need repairs done. A few sounds, such as clicking at start-up when the heater hasn’t been used for a while, aren’t much to worry about. But other sounds, like shrieking (possibly worn down motor bearings) or clacking (loose parts or a dented fan belt), should be inspected professionally.
3. Spikes in heating bills: Often, your heater may run fine, but internally has faults in its mechanisms force it to work harder than necessary. You can see this in your power bills: if you notice a sudden surge in costs that you can’t explain, it’s time to get the heater looked at for possible malfunctions.
Although skilled heating technicians can fix most problems with your heater, you can prevent many repair needs if you sign up for a preventive maintenance program. An annual visit from a maintenance specialist will reduce your heater’s repair needs and give the system a longer lifespan.
Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served Fresno, CA heating repair needs since 1952. We will send out NATE-certified technicians to your home to fix the troubles with your heater, so you know you will be in skilled hands.