Heating Repair - Home Service Available 24 Hours
Without the proper experience and tools, emergency heating repair services can be complicated and time-consuming. Don’t subject yourself to the stressful and potentially hazardous mistake of trying to fix a heating system alone. With guarantees/warranties on all services and parts, we offer peace of mind and professional integrity. Our specialists utilize proven techniques and cutting-edge technologies to get the job done smoothly.
Signs Your Heater Needs to Be Repaired
When a heating system emits odd smells, sporadically fluctuates on and off, fails to heat your home, causes a noisy racket, or won’t power, it is time to call an HVAC professional for trusted repairs.
Odd Smell from Heating System
A faintly smelly gas-powered heater is often natural and normal. If you are using a heater for the first time in a while, the source of the scent may just be accumulated dirt and dust burning off. Nevertheless, we recommend staying vigilant and calling an HVAC specialist to inspect the unit if the smell persists or intensifies. When strong odors do not diminish over time, you may have a gas leak or something burning inside your unit.
Cold or Lukewarm Air Temperatures
When a heater is running, your house should warm up quickly and efficiently. If the thermostat is cranked up and you are still experiencing frigid conditions, there may be a leak in your ductwork. This can occur in air ducts that are largely invisible, running through your crawl space or attic. Luckily, our technicians know where to investigate and can adequately insulate your ducts. We won’t let cold drafts and wasted electricity ruin your winter!
Constant Thermostat Adjustments
Abruptly changing the temperature can be harmful to your heating unit and thermostat. When a heater is constantly turned on and off, it works harder, sucking up more electricity. Adjusting your thermostat too often can also cause components of your heating unit to wear down quickly, causing expensive repairs and replacements!
Heater Has Trouble Starting
A heater should turn on with little effort. If you find your unit is struggling to start, it is time to troubleshoot the problem. This may be the result of a dirty or faulty pilot, a problem with the natural gas line, disconnected wiring, dead batteries, or a damaged thermostat. It is important to avoid installing a thermostat in direct sunlight, near hot appliances, or vents. Doing so may cause skewed temperature readings.
Discolored Pilot Light
Checking a pilot light is an easy and telltale way to detect gas imbalances. The color of a healthy pilot light should be bluish, indicating the ratio of gases is well-balanced. When the pilot light is yellow, this is cause for concern. A yellow pilot light usually means there is too much carbon monoxide and/or a ventilation problem. Signaling potentially serious health risks, a yellow pilot light warrants immediate professional attention.
Persistent Noises
When a heater makes constant noises, we recommend paying attention to the type of sound you hear. Doing so may reveal the source of your problem:
- Belt or fan issues usually squeal
- Loose parts in an air pump or condenser can bang around
- Warped fan blades and broken motors often scrape
- A decentered blower wheel might thump
- A faulty gas valve can rumble abnormally loud
- Loose-fitting metal housing fasteners may rattle
- Compressor or fans with trapped debris can cause clanking
- Sheet metal air ducts can pop due to air pressure
- Broken air filters, obstructed vents, and leaky ductwork often hiss
- Refrigerant leaks regularly whistle
Sometimes, figuring out the cause of HVAC sounds can be tricky. We are always available to help you detect the underlying issue and deliver fast solutions.
Compressor Running Constantly (Short Cycling)
When a heater erratically turns on and off, it may be short cycling. Common causes for short cycling include:
- Heaters that are too powerful for your ductwork
- Unevenly distributed or obstructed vents
- An overheated thermostat
- A dirty air filter restricting airflow
- Condensate switch defects
- A corroded flame sensor
Failing to regularly maintain your heater will heighten the chances of short-cycling issues. That’s why it’s wise to invest in regular maintenance.
Poor Air Quality
Over time, air ducts will naturally collect dirt, allergens, contaminants, and micro-organisms. When your heater turns on, the air will blow these unhealthy particles throughout your home, causing respiratory problems, allergies, and asthma attacks. Just like the surfaces in your house that need to be regularly cleaned, ductwork requires frequent maintenance to remove the grime, bacteria, pollen, mold spores, insect droppings, and pet dander that accumulate over time.
Dirty Filters
Your heater’s air filter can significantly improve air quality: blocking airborne pollutants and contaminants before they can enter your heating system, air ducts, and home. We recommend replacing your air filter every one to three months. This will mitigate your exposure to irritants and allergens and make your heater more energy efficient.
Another pro tip is upgrading to a higher quality air filter that can trap smaller contaminants, resulting in healthier air. Top-quality filters are rated by MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). Consult with our HVAC specialists to see what air filters are compatible with your system.
Carbon Monoxide Detection
Heaters that use natural gas, propane, or oil are vulnerable to carbon monoxide (CO) gas leaks. CO is colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly. Other symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide include shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, nausea, mental confusion, vomiting, decreased muscle coordination, heart/brain damage, and loss of consciousness.
If you have a combustion heater, take this wise precaution: Have a professional install a carbon monoxide detector right away. A carbon monoxide detector will trigger an alert when toxic gases are present. Should this alarm sound, turn off the unit, ventilate your home, and call a professional immediately.
Inexplicable Cost Increase in Energy Bills
When your heating system has a defect, it may prove costly. High electricity bills can be caused by duct leaks, dirty filters, faulty thermostats, and numerous other deficiencies. The older a heater becomes, the more likely its efficiency has waned. If you notice your heater working overtime and your monthly utility bill constantly increasing (especially in winter), give us a call. We can save you money over time by installing a state-of-the-art unit, a heat pump, or a ductless system.
Call our heater repair pros for help at (571) 380-7548 for help right now. Your local One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help you immediately.
What Causes Your Heater to Stop Working Properly?
Countless issues can lead to heater malfunctions. Here are some frequent complications:
- A dirty blower can cause equipment failure. When insufficient air blows across a heat exchange, it can overheat and fail.
- Dirty air filters can restrict airflow and cause short cycling.
- A dirty flame sensor covered in gunk can turn off your heater by failing to sense the flame.
- Dirty burners can have trouble lighting.
- Wiring and electrical issues can cause breakdowns.
Should I Call a Heater Repair Technician or Try to Fix the Problem Myself?
For minor issues and simple maintenance tasks such as replacing an air filter, DIY solutions are viable. At the same time, many heater malfunctions require professional expertise. This is especially true when installing or repairing gas or oil heaters where a single error can cause dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. By choosing One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, you’ll get trained, insured, and experienced HVAC pros who are backed by our UWIN 100% satisfaction guarantee.
How Much Does a Heating Repair Cost?
Many factors alter heating repair costs. To get an estimate, we calculate:
- The amount of time a repair or replacement requires.
- The age, size, and condition of your heater.
- The difficulty of accessing your air ducts (when necessary).
- The equipment, parts, and tools involved.
- Any costs that are covered by warranties or insurance.
Should I Repair or Replace My Heater?
You should seriously consider replacing your heater if:
- Your heat pump is over 10 years old
- Your boiler, furnace, or gas heater is over 15 years old
- Your unit is unevenly or inadequately heating your home
- Your system is outdated and incurring high energy bills
- You lack a programmable thermostat
- Your heater needs frequent repairs
- Your system is exacerbating humidity levels and poor indoor air quality
What Is the Average Life Span of a Heating System?
The average life expectancy of heating systems is getting longer as technology and maintenance techniques improve. A well-maintained furnace can last 15 to 20 years, and a boiler can last up to 30 years if regularly serviced.
Call (571) 380-7548 to find a heater repair technician near you. We answer calls 24/7, and emergency heater repair is available under certain circumstances.
Signs it's Time to Buy a New Heater
As a heating system ages, expensive repairs and replacements will increase in frequency. When a repair exceeds 50% of the cost of a new system, we recommend upgrading to a modern unit that is more energy-efficient and in better condition.
Repairs Get Too Frequent and Too Costly
Over time, repair costs can pile up. We advise tracking the money you spend maintaining an old heater to accurately assess the price of upkeep. Paying for numerous repairs to keep an aged and inefficient system running can be more expensive than you might think.
An Older Unit
If your heating system falls into the 15+ year category, it is wise to proactively shop around for an updated unit. This will save you from stress and frustration, health and fire hazards, and the costs of yearly repairs and pricey emergencies. Fixing old units with obsolete replacement parts can be a particularly costly hassle. Get an energy-efficient unit sooner than later!
High Energy Costs
If your heating system leaks, overheats, short cycles, or performs at subpar levels, monthly utility bills can quickly get ugly. Fortunately, our preventative maintenance program can help. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is staffed with knowledgeable HVAC specialists who can clean, repair, and upgrade your unit to optimize efficiency.
Other Heating Services
We service alternative heating systems, such as geothermal heating units and heat pumps. Geothermal heating solutions have many perks. Sure, they can be costly upfront. But over time, they can save energy and money. They are also eco-friendly, enjoy long life spans by operating indoors, operate quietly, and work during power outages. Heat pumps are a great alternative as well. Centralized and easy to install, they can help with heating especially cold rooms and old properties that lack ductwork.
Heater Replacement & Installation
It is always wise to replace a heater before total system failure. You can avoid being left in the cold by paying attention to key performance issues and signs of decline. We can handle all stages of heater installation, and even retrofit your ductwork. Our technicians follow manufacturer specifications and work with great attention to detail to ensure everything works perfectly.
Heater Maintenance
No one wants to recirculate dirty air, breathe carbon monoxide, or waste energy. By checking your entire heating system, we can ensure your health and home are safe.
A well-maintained heater has many upsides. Routine service visits will increase your heating unit’s:
- Durability
- Life span
- Cleanliness
- Energy-efficiency
- Safety
Why Choose One Hour Heating & Air for Heating Services?
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is one of the most trusted HVAC companies in the country for many reasons. Our loyal customers appreciate our focus on:
- Honesty
- Competitive pricing
- Teamwork
- Respect for laws and regulations
- Punctuality
- Customer privacy
- Industry-leading guarantees
- Best-in-class HVAC parts and technologies
Highly Trained and Experienced Technicians
We proudly stand behind the quality of work we deliver. Each One Hour employee loyally adheres to a strict code of ethics that emphasizes courteousness, treating customers respectfully, and providing straightforward advice and upfront prices. Fully certified, vetted with background checks, and constantly enrolled in continuing HVAC education courses, our team is ready to take on any challenge.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Our customer satisfaction guarantee is backed by UWIN® – a third-party consumer service that ensures 100% accountability. With the UWIN® seal, customers can rest assured that any problem will be resolved as quickly as possible.
Steps to Troubleshoot Common Heating Problems Before Calling for Repair
Heating problems result from a wide range of issues. Some are complicated, while others are easy to detect and simple to fix.
The next time your heating system starts acting funny, these helpful tips may offer fast solutions:
- Clean/replace the air filter
- Check your thermostat’s batteries and connectivity
- Inspect your heater’s condenser for debris
- Check the pilot light and burners
- Double-check all vents and registers
- Check for blown fuses or tripped breakers
- Fasten the access panel
- Contact a qualified One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning specialist
Our Heating Service Experts Won’t Leave You in the Cold. Call Today at (571) 380-7548
On standby 24-hours a day, every day of the year, our emergency HVAC team is ready to solve even the most complex issue when you need service most. Once an HVAC appointment is made, you can be confident our team will show up on time. After all, our company motto is: Always On Time...Or You Don’t Pay A Dime!®
For heating repair services in your area, call (571) 380-7548 or contact us online to request an appointment today!
*Check with your local franchise. Services may vary by location.
