6 Signs Your Home’s Heater Is Broken and What You Should Do

Even though it doesn’t get too cold here in Florida, if your heater is beginning to show signs that it is struggling to maintain a comfortable temperature, or breaks down altogether, it can be an inconvenience. 

Here are some signs that your heater is failing or broken, and what to do!

#1. Your Furnace is Cycling on and Off

If your heater is cycling on or off, something in your system could be causing it to cut off before it can complete a full heating cycle. This could mean many things; the fan motor could be dying, or the heat sensor might need to be cleaned.

#2. Constant Thermostat Tweaking

If you find yourself constantly adjusting the thermostat, you should call a technician from Super Heat & Air to come out and inspect the furnace and the thermostat. The thermostat may be going bad, or the heater might not be able to keep up with the demands of heating your home.

#3. Issues with Carbon Monoxide

If you don’t already have carbon monoxide detectors in your home, please get some NOW! We’re serious. They could save your life. When it comes to your heating system, they can let you know if your heater is broken.

If your unit uses natural gas or oil, it burns them to create heat. This process produces carbon monoxide or CO.

When things are working properly, this gas leaves through the exhaust system. But if you have a cracked heat exchanger, these noxious fumes could be inside your home.

The worst part is that carbon monoxide is a silent killer. It is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. It can poison you if you inhale too much, making you sick and eventually pass out. If you continue to breathe it in, you will die.

That’s why carbon monoxide detectors are so important. If one goes off, it is a clue that there is a big problem with your heater.

This is another reason why you should get your heater inspected in the fall. When our techs come out to clean and inspect the system, they will test for CO leaks. We can catch it before there is any chance of a health hazard.

#4. Clanging, Clicking, or Rumbling

If a component breaks or comes loose inside your HVAC unit, it will make some weird sounds. The fan belt could become frayed, and make a squealing noise, or you might hear a bang, clang, or rumbling when the system shuts on or off. 

Generally, if your system suddenly starts making noises, there is probably a problem. It could be a big issue, or it could be small. You’ll want to know for sure before it becomes worse as these noises could spell disaster if not taken care of promptly.

#5. Higher Heating Bills

Of course, you expect your energy bills to go up if you’re using your HVAC system nonstop. But if it suddenly rises higher than the norm, it’s a sign that your unit is using more power than it should to do its job.

This can happen for many reasons. It could just need to be cleaned, or there could be frayed or faulty wiring somewhere. But the problem could be even more significant, like a faulty compressor or a leak somewhere. In those cases, the unit is overcompensating to make up for the problem.

Sometimes it could be as simple as changing the air filter, so if you haven’t done that in a while, do it now!

If that doesn’t fix the problem, you will want to call in a professional to inspect the system.

#6. Cold Air

This one is a given. If you turn on the heater and it sends cold air your way, there is likely something wrong. A belt could be broken, or perhaps the compressor needs to be replaced. Or there could even be a hole in your ductwork somewhere.

Either way, if your heater is blowing cool air when it is on the “heat” setting, it’s time to call in the pros from Super Heat & Air!

Read More: 5 Signs Your Water Heat Is Dying

Tampa Bay Heater Repairs

If you go to turn on your heater this season and are met with cold air, weird sounds, or nothing at all, call our team of HVAC professionals at Super Heat & Air. We will come out to inspect and troubleshoot your system and get it back to working properly so you can stay cozy and warm this winter.

Schedule heater repair or service by calling (813) 355-0288 today!