High Heating Bill? Why Your Furnace Might Need To Be Serviced

5 October 2015
 Categories: , Blog


You may begin to notice that your home has much higher energy bills. You try to turn down the heat, but you already have it as low as it will go without the temperature dropping to very uncomfortable levels. This ongoing problem might be the result of your HVAC system being defective.

The Filter Needs to Be Replaced

If you do not change your filter regularly, the filter will become clogged and will cause your heater to become less efficient. Some filters need to be completely replaced, while others can be removed and cleaned before replacing them.

The Duct Need to Be Sealed

Your higher heating bills might be the result of your air ducts needing to be sealed. Your ducts are releasing hot air that is not entering the rooms where it is needed. This forces your furnace to work harder to generate the necessary heat, which raises your heating bill.

The Thermostat Isn't Wired Correctly

Another issue is when the thermostat is wired incorrectly. This can cause the HVAC system to heat and cool at the same time, which can be very counter-productive. When the AC is running in the winter, you might not notice because the hot and cold air is mixed together, so you won't notice cold air coming out of your vents. A faulty thermostat could also cause your HVAC to incorrectly read the temperature in the ambient air, working harder to raise the temperature above what you set on the thermostat. If you notice that your home is uncomfortably hot even though you did not raise the thermostat, this may be the problem.

The Furnace Needs More Frequent Repairs

If the heater is 20-years-old or older, it may be reaching the end of its life and you may need to replace it. Other warning signs of a heater that is about to go include having some rooms that are hotter or colder than others, the furnace cycling on and off more frequently, a furnace that rattles and produces other noises, an excessive amount of dust, soot and other particles produced by the furnace and signs of rust or cracking. If you are frequently making repairs, you might be within two years of your furnace completely breaking down. Rather than be left without one, it is better to purchase a new one. However, if the heater is younger, a heating repair technician, such as Encore Mechanical Inc., can diagnose and repair your heater. Your energy savings will offset the cost.


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