Four (Sometimes Subtle) Signs You Need a Boiler Repair in Havertown, PA
No heat or no water are obvious signals that it’s time to call your trusted HVAC company for a boiler repair. But, you can spot subtle signs that lead to big problems like those. And, when you know what they are, you can head them off.
In this post, we’re looking at some signals your boiler requires repair. Instead of waiting for something to go awry, you can often end up spending less money — and getting less stressed-out — when you nip these problems in the bud. Especially when it’s getting cold out,and you need the heat more than ever.
And, we’ll also give you some insight into how to prevent even these smaller issues from taking hold in the first place.
Four Signs You Need a Boiler Repair
- Bad Smells and Yellow Flames
- Your Energy Bills Suddenly Increase
- Banging, Clunking and Other Noises
- You Notice Signs of a Leak
Let’s look closer at these.
Bad Smells and Yellow Flames
A bad smell coming from your boiler is a sign that you have a carbon monoxide leak. If you notice these problems, open your windows and go outside.
If you have a carbon monoxide monitor, it will probably go off. If it doesn’t, that could mean the leak’s not too bad — yet.
Still, you should call an HVAC professional immediately.
If the alarm starts going off even when the windows are open, you should call 911 as well.
But wait — carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. How is it giving off an odor?
Well, it’s not the CO that smells. Instead, it’s coming from the boiler, because it’s not burning the fuel properly.
A yellow flame is also a sign that something’s wrong. In this case, there’s a high amount of carbon dioxide in the system.
Carbon dioxide doesn’t present the same health hazards as a carbon monoxide leak. But, when it’s affecting the flame on your heating system, it’s a sign of corrosion.
If you leave it unchecked, you’ll end up with a leak, possibly a flood, and other problems. Fortunately, a quick look at the flame every now and then can let you know.
Your Energy Bills Suddenly Increase
A sudden spike in your energy bills is often a sign that something’s wrong with the heating system. Your boiler suddenly needs more resources to get the job done.
Fortunately, you may be able to locate the problem and fix it yourself. Start with a few easy points.
First, have you changed your boiler filter in the last three months?
If not, it’s probably clogged from all the dust and debris it’s caught. At that point, the air has a hard time getting through. So, the boiler works more to do the job.
Also, check for leaks and dripping faucets. Since the system is responsible for warm water, you could be slowly, but continuously, emptying the tank.
If none of those solutions work, then it’s time to call in a professional.
One more note on this subject: If you’ve noticed steady increases over time, and your system is over 15 years old, you may need a new boiler soon.
Again, it needs more energy to do the job — and that’s just due to its age.
Banging, Clunking and Other Noises
The house probably isn’t haunted if you suddenly hear clangs and bangs from the basement. It’s much more likely there’s a problem with your boiler.
We’re talking about subtle signs in this article, and you’d be surprised how often this slips past people’s radars.
Either they don’t hear it when it happens, or they don’t realize it’s coming from their HVAC system.
So, if you hear something strange coming from the general vicinity of your boiler — just go check it out! This isn’t a horror movie.
Usually, something’s worn out or broken inside the system. The quicker you get it fixed, the less damage it will cause as the system keeps working despite the problem.
You Notice Signs of a Leak
A leak seems like an obvious problem. But, it isn’t always water gushing everywhere. With a boiler, sometimes, you have to inspect around the system to find small amounts of water on the floor or drops coming from the system.
If you do spot this, call your HVAC company immediately. Even if only a small amount of water is getting out, the hole could break open at any point.
Then, you’re looking at a flood in the basement, complete with water damage, extra expenses, and a major headache.
Preventative Maintenance Prevents Boiler Repair Calls
We’ve spent most of this article in doom-and-gloom mode, telling you all about what could go wrong with your boiler. Well, now we’ll touch on how to avoid needing those repairs in the first place: Preventative maintenance.
This comes in the form of an annual tune-up. It’s when your HVAC tech cleans and inspects the system. They also replace any worn-out or broken parts and optimize the system overall.
Like getting an oil change for your car, an HVAC tune-up ensures your heating system is ready for winter.
And, since it’s probably also handling your hot water, you’re using the boiler all year — unlike a furnace.
Of course, any machine will break eventually. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of a coming breakdown.
But, with preventative maintenance, those repair calls will be few and far between. Your system will work for longer, and it will use fewer resources.
That means less money you pay for oil or on your monthly utility bills.
If you’d like to sign up for preventative maintenance in or near Havertown, PA, or you have some concerns about your boiler, don’t hesitate to reach out to John Cipollone Heating and Cooling today!
We’ll make sure your system is ready for this winter and many more after that.
