Five Reasons Your Heating Unit Broke Down and How to Avoid It
Winter is just around the corner, and you don't want to find yourself on a freezing night with a broken heating unit. A malfunctioning heating system can be stressful, inconvenient, and costly. Here are five common reasons why your heating unit may break down and how to avoid it.
Poor Maintenance
One of the most common reasons for heating breakdowns is a lack of maintenance. Not maintaining your HVAC system regularly can lead to issues such as clogged filters, dirty ducts, and damaged compressors. This can cause your equipment to work harder than necessary, increasing energy bills and leading to an eventual breakdown. To avoid this, regular maintenance such as filter changes, duct cleanings, and tune-ups by a technician is key.
Age of the Heating System
Unfortunately, heating systems don't last forever. As your heating unit ages, it becomes more prone to break down. It's important to make sure you are regularly maintaining your unit and upgrading to a newer one before it completely deteriorates.
Power Surges or Electrical Issues
Surges in power can cause significant damage to your heating system. Power surges occur due to electrical disturbances such as lightning strikes, faulty wiring, and power outages. It's important to install surge protectors within your electrical equipment and check the wiring within the unit regularly to avoid any electrical issues.
Dirty Air Filters or Ducts
When air filters or ducts are clogged and dirty, it can restrict the airflow in your home. This can cause your heating system to work harder and heat up more slowly, eventually leading to a breakdown. It's important to regularly replace or clean air filters and ducts to ensure proper airflow and maintain a healthy heating system.
Wear and Tear
Every heating system has a finite lifespan, and eventually, due to normal wear and tear, it will break down. Wear and tear is a standard issue and can be caused by anything from repeated usage to environmental factors. If your heating system is overworked, it can lead to a breakdown. If your heating unit has poor ventilation, struggles to keep a warm room, gives off a foul odor, or keeps turning off, it may be showing signs of wear and tear.
Prevention is the key to avoiding a heating unit breakdown. Regular maintenance, replacing worn-out parts, and upgrading to newer equipment can all contribute to preventing a breakdown. It's important to address any issues promptly as they arise to prevent more extensive damage. Consider contacting a heating repair service to get your heating unit taken care of.
For more information on heating repair, contact a professional near you.