Did you feel panicked the last time you looked at your utility bills? With cold weather already here and your heating system running regularly, there’s a good chance that it’s your heater that’s at fault for bills going through the roof.
Yes, you can expect to see higher bills as soon as your heater starts its routine winter work—but when you see unusually high bills, it often means that there is trouble with the heater. Many different types of malfunctions in furnaces and heat pumps will result in a larger drain on energy. In this post, we’ll explore how these various malfunctions can lead to increased utility bills. More importantly, we’ll underscore the significance of swift heating repair in Bergen County by professionals. We’re the heating pros you can trust in the area to solve any malfunction.
Common Furnace Issues
Lack of Maintenance: One of the primary reasons for heating system malfunctions is skipping regular maintenance appointments. Furnaces need to have annual maintenance, preferably in fall. Without maintenance to clean and adjust the furnace, it will wear down quicker and start to consume more power to do its job. If you haven’t scheduled maintenance yet this year, it’s not too late.
Dirty Filters: The blower filters for a furnace stop dust and debris from infiltrating the unit and causing damage. When filters aren’t regularly changed, they become clogged and force the furnace to work harder to circulate air. This results in higher energy consumption and elevated heating costs. Fortunately, you can fix this problem yourself by just putting in a clean filter.
Ignition or Pilot Control Problems: Faulty ignition or pilot control can cause intermittent heating, leading to lower comfort levels and higher bills. If you notice your furnace delaying igniting its burners or shutting on and off too frequently, have professionals take a look at it.
Malfunctioning Thermostat: A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to temperature fluctuations, causing the furnace to work harder than it needs to. This not only affects comfort but contributes to greater energy consumption. Experts can recalibrate, repair, or replace the thermostat.
Common Heat Pump Issues
Low Refrigerant: Refrigerant leaks will reduce a heat pump’s ability to transfer heat from the outside to the inside of the house. Not only that, low refrigerant puts the heat pump in danger of a complete breakdown, so you’ll want the leaks addressed as soon as possible.
Defrosting Problems: In our cold climate, heat pumps may experience difficulty defrosting their outdoor coils, leading to lower efficiency. In most cases, professionals will need to repair the defrost controls that prevent outdoor coil freeze.
Sensor or Thermostat Failures: Inaccurate sensors or malfunctioning thermostats can lead to improper heat regulation, causing the heat pump to work harder.
Inadequate Heat Output: A heat pump struggling to produce sufficient heat—for whatever reason—will run longer cycles, consuming more energy. It takes professionals to accurately diagnose what’s causing the drop in heating output so it can be fixed.
Importance of Prompt Repair Services
It’s crucial to have any repairs for your heater done as soon as you can, even if the heater is still “working” to some degree. You’ll not only eliminate those higher costs, you’ll prevent more expensive problems later on and ensure the heater works at its safest.
Call Triple-O Mechanical: Your One-stop Shop for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical.