The East Coast was hit with freezing temperatures and blizzard conditions late last week, and we’re all still assessing the damage. When it comes to your furnace, any damage should be carefully assessed and immediately repaired. It can be tempting to try to “power through” any damage — winter isn’t going to get any gentler anytime soon — but that’s usually a big mistake. And in the case of a cracked heat exchanger, an immediate heater replacement session may be in order. To do otherwise risks more than a chilly home.
What is a heat exchanger and why is damage to it so devastating? We’ve prepared a quick summary below.
When your furnace has trouble functioning, even if it doesn’t seem like it’s a huge problem, it’s a good idea to shut it off and call in a heater repair service immediately. Furnace repair services are essential, professional services available for diagnosing and fixing heating system issues, including emergency situations. It is crucial to address furnace issues promptly to prevent further damage and costly repairs. Be sure to notice any unusual behavior or sounds from your furnace, as these can be early warning signs. Common signs of needing heating repair in Boston include strange noises, uneven temperature distribution, increased energy bills, short cycling, foul odors, yellow pilot light in gas furnaces, and weak or no airflow. Few serious repair jobs take place without giving you warning signs well in advance, and noticing these signs early can help prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. A yellow flame instead of a blue flame in a gas furnace may indicate a carbon monoxide leak and should be addressed immediately. The sooner you can get a trained technician to address these issues, the better. Licensed heating technicians in Boston must hold an EPA Universal Certification, and for complex work, may require a Massachusetts Refrigeration Technician License or Sheet Metal License.
Winter is almost here, and cold temperatures are going to be staying a good long while. Your forced-air furnace was likely called into action some time ago, and by now you’re likely running it on a daily basis. Hopefully, it’s in good working order and you won’t need to worry about a breakdown during the cold winter months. Trouble with most forced-air furnaces tends to advertise itself well before it forces a shutdown, however, and wise homeowners will learn to spot them before they cause an unexpected shutdown. That way, you can deal with the issue in a timely fashion.
Many homes in the Winchester, MA area use forced-air furnaces to provide heat in the winter. It’s a simple and effective means of keeping warm, but like any system, it needs to be maintained and you need to be on the lookout for signs of trouble. Among other symptoms, reduced air flow from your vents signals an issue that needs to be treated quickly in order to prevent serious damage to your system.
Furnaces are designed to last a long time, and with proper care and maintenance, you can extend the life of yours well beyond the expiration of the warranty. But winters are harsh here and your furnace in Reading, MA gets put to the test every day when the weather is cold. Ideally, an older furnace can last until the weather warms up, but that might not always be possible. If you need to pull the trigger on the purchase of a new furnace before the spring, it pays to have a professional service onboard as quickly as possible.
If your old furnace is laboring through its last winter, you may be planning to replace it this spring. Or you may be in the unfortunate position of having to replace a failing furnace immediately, before our freezing cold Boston, MA winter turns your home into a popsicle. Either way, there’s a common pitfall in buying a new furnace that you need to be aware of: a system with too much heating power for your home.