When To Call in a Home Heating Pro

You can count on Fredericks Fuel to help

If you are having an issue with your home heating system, the first question you may ask yourself is if fixing the issue is something you can handle yourself.

While we love a good DIY project as much as anyone, there are definitely certain projects that should be left to the professionals, especially when it comes to something as important as your heater.

What should a professional handle versus a homeowner? We’re glad you asked!

Home heating issues that require a professional

Attempting to fix a problem with your home heating system when you aren’t 100% confident in what you are doing can result in making whatever problem it is that you are having even worse. This holds especially true if you are experiencing any of the below issues – all of which should be handled by a certified service technician:

• A system that is frequently turning on and off: You may be having trouble with your airflow or thermostat if your heating system seems to be constantly cycling on and off. This can put a strain on your heating system and negatively impact how effective it is.
• Unusual sounds: If you hear any clanking or banging (or other atypical sounds) coming from your home heating system, do not hesitate to contact a professional as these sounds can be caused by a mechanical issue or loose components.
• Higher energy bills: If you haven’t made any changes in terms of how much you’re using your heat and fuel prices haven’t recently gone up all that much, but your energy bills are suddenly significantly higher than they previously were, your heating system may be struggling.
• Unevenly distributed heat: Blocked ducts, problems with a thermostat or similar mechanical issues can create inconsistent or uneven heating throughout a home.
• Your home loses heat: This probably goes without saying, but if your home loses heat entirely, contact a professional and request emergency assistance.
• Your carbon monoxide detector goes off: You want to evacuate your home immediately and contact your fuel provider as well as emergency services if you get an alert from your carbon monoxide detector.
• Water leaks: Consider a water leak from a boiler a warning sign of a serious problem that should be looked at by a professional as soon as possible.

Home heating issues that a homeowner can tackle

While the above problems should be left to a pro, there are some issues that a homeowner can attempt to troubleshoot if he or she feels comfortable doing so. This includes:

• A radiator that won’t get warm: If you have your boiler on, but your radiators aren’t warm to the touch, check to ensure that the knobs are open.
• A burning smell: Your home may smell like something is burning the first time you turn your furnace on for the winter. This can happen from dust accumulating in your burner. If the odor goes away after about 10 minutes you should be in the clear. If it doesn’t, contact a professional.
• Issues with airflow: Clogged or dirty air filters and vents that are blocked by household items can create airflow issues. Clean and replace your air filters as necessary and keep vents clear of furniture, rugs and curtains.
• A heating system that won’t go on: If your heating equipment won’t turn on, check to see if your thermostat is in ‘heat’ mode and that the temperature is set to be five degrees warmer than your home’s current temperature. Then double check that all power switches are on and that you didn’t blow any fuses.

Turn to the pros at Fredericks Fuel

When you do need a professional to help with a heating issue in your Northern New Jersey home, the technicians at Fredericks Fuel are here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about the home heating services we offer throughout the area.