With the weather turning towards winter and bringing on cold nights in Geelong, a gas heater can be a godsend for your home. As the preferred heating option for homes, they provide reliable comfort and warmth throughout the winter. Like every appliance, gas heaters are susceptible to faults and need servicing and repairs. Having an annual gas heater service allows a gas technician to remedy issues before they become bigger problems and to ensure your gas heater is ready for the winter. However, not everybody has an annual service! Here are the top 5 common faults that people experience with gas heating and why you should take notice if you come across these changes with your heating system.
Top 5 most common faults for gas heating
1. You can see dirt, soot or dust building up.
Gas heaters are intricate appliances and over time they become dirty. This is an issue because dirt, dust and soot clog your gas heating system. When your gas heating system becomes clogged, it overworks itself. This reduces the lifespan of your appliance and can be dangerous as it leads to a higher chance of exposure to carbon monoxide. This is easily remedied in two ways. One, you wipe down the vents of your heating system before turning it on for the winter. Two, you have your heating system serviced annually by technicians, as recommended. Technicians clean your vents thoroughly. They also clean and inspect the pipes, heat exchangers and flues to ensure your heating system performs optimally.
2. You can smell burning from your gas heater.
Burning smells from heating systems are an indicator that the system is clogged. When you can smell burning, it generally means that the build-up is inside the pipes or flues. This can be dangerous as it can lead to a fire or to carbon monoxide exposure which can cause serious injury or death. When you smell your heating system burning or smell gas, immediately turn it off. Call a heating specialist, such as Heat and Cool Service Group, to service your gas heating system.
3. The pilot light isn’t functioning on your gas heater.
Most gas heaters, particularly older models, have a pilot light that homeowners can check to see if their heating system is switched on and working properly. The pilot light should be crisp blue when switched on. Any other colour is a serious concern as there may be a gas leak or breakage somewhere. If the pilot light goes out, this is also a concern as it indicates the gas valve could be broken and you need to repair your system.
4. The thermostat is broken on your gas heater.
The thermostat is the key to your gas heating system working optimally as it determines the temperature and fan speed. When your thermostat is unresponsive likely electrical issues are preventing you from enjoying instant comfort. It becomes a serious fault if your thermostat is inaccurately reading how much heat your home needs as it leads to a higher chance of a fire. When the thermostat doesn’t match the heat output it’s time for a repair.
5. Your heater exchanger is cracked.
Your heat exchanger controls the airflow of your home. It also keeps the liquids and gases separate. Over time heat exchangers can crack due to several factors. These include old age and poor maintenance. If this was to occur, your gas heating system will start blowing out cool air, smell bad and leak carbon monoxide. In these scenarios, you’d require an urgent gas heater service and repair to avoid serious illness.
Concerned about your gas heater? Book it in to be serviced.
The Heat and Cool Service Group are expert in repairing gas heating systems and identifying smaller issues that could lead to bigger repairs. Our team will provide affordable quotes and same-day service for all gas heater services. Get in touch with us to learn more.
