How to Avoid Emergency Heating Repairs This Winter

October 31, 2023

Bone-chilling temperatures, gusty winds, and snow — winter in Northern Virginia makes a well-functioning heating system essential for home comfort. A heater you can trust to work well in freezing weather is also critical for your health and safety. That’s why it’s so important to take fast action whenever something goes wrong with the system. How do you avoid having to deal with emergency heating repairs? Here’s what the professionals recommend you do to ensure your system doesn’t falter or fail during those long, cold winter nights.

Conduct Routine Visual Inspections

As long as everyone stays warm and comfortable, it’s easy to forget all about your hard-working heating system. Unfortunately, that kind of neglect can cost you down the line. Make a point to check the equipment at regular intervals to verify that nothing’s amiss.

Start by clearing away clutter around the equipment. Maintain a perimeter of at least 2 feet to keep the area fire-safe and easily accessible. If you have a furnace or boiler, look for signs of rust or corrosion that can lead to dangerous fuel or gas leaks. Finally, check the filter and replace it whenever it’s dirty. That act alone can improve the system’s efficiency up to 15%.

Know the Signs Your Heater Needs Attention

If not caught early, even a minor malfunction in your heating system can lead to major heating repairs. Safeguard your comfort by learning how to recognize something is amiss. The following signs indicate your heater needs prompt attention from a qualified HVAC technician.

Energy bills that are significantly higher than last year
Loud or unusual noises such as hissing or intermittent bangs
Air blowing from the registers isn’t as warm as usual
The system cycles on and off at frequent intervals
Airflow isn’t as robust as you expect it to be
You’re constantly adjusting the thermostat

Recognize When It’s Time to Replace Your Heater

How did your heater perform last year? Did it keep you warm and cozy all winter? There comes a time in the service life of any heating system when a replacement makes sound financial sense. Heaters that meet any of the following criteria are good candidates for replacement.

Your furnace, boiler or heat pump is over 10-15 years old.
Some living spaces in your home stay uncomfortably cold all winter.
The air flowing from the vents is persistently dusty or smells musty.
Your heater can’t maintain consistently comfortable temperatures.
Your heating system needs major heat pump, boiler or furnace repairs.
Your heating costs rise more and more every winter.

Schedule Fall Maintenance

The best way to avoid heating repairs is to rectify potential problems before they lead to an emergency situation. Scheduling HVAC maintenance in the fall helps ensure your heater makes it through another winter. Performing proactive care for the equipment allows skilled technicians to identify and resolve any issues that can compromise your health, safety and comfort. It can also save you a bundle of money! Well-maintained heat pumps, for example, operate up to 25% more efficiently than those that don’t receive regular service.

Sign Up for Regular Tune-Ups

You can save even more money by enrolling in an preventive maintenance plan with Vernon The Heating & Cooling Specialist. Your heating equipment will perform better, last longer and need fewer repairs. In addition to regularly scheduled tune-ups, you’ll receive extra perks ranging from guaranteed service within 48 hours to discounts on emergency heating repairs. Best of all, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your heater will keep everyone warm all winter.

Whether you need furnace maintenance, boiler repairs or a new heat pump installation, trust the experts at Vernon The Heating & Cooling Specialist to meet your needs. For more than 40 years, we’ve provided Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC, area with heating solutions for every indoor climate control challenge. For more information, check out our residential heating services or call us today.