Even in our chilly climate—even with Punxatawny Phil insisting winter was not coming to an end—there’s no doubt we’re well past the halfway point of winter. We’re in the home stretch! In the not-too-distant future, we’ll be thinking about petunias and picnics, not heating system repair. But in the meantime, there’s still a chance something could go wrong, making your winter even chillier.
If you only have a minor heating system problem, is it safe to ignore it at the end of the season? After all, you won’t be using your heat for much longer. Do you need to get that heating repair in Cambridge, MA done now, or can you wait until next fall? We strongly urge you to get repairs promptly, and for good reason. Here’s why.
For Your Safety
This is the first and foremost reason to prioritize heating system repairs. Whether you have a gas or electric system, a furnace, or a boiler, when things start to go wrong, it can lead to safety hazards. Gas systems can leak gas or contaminate your home’s air with carbon monoxide. Electric systems can cause electrocution and even fires. Furnace maintenance is essential for safety.
For Your Heating System
Small signs can indicate big problems. For example, a little clicking noise can mean there’s a crack in the heat exchanger, which needs urgent furnace repair. Also, small problems can quickly develop into bigger ones, especially when a heating system keeps being used despite its struggles.
This means that your heating system is more likely to have costly repair needs or even total breakdowns when it’s under a lot of strain on the coldest nights. Also, the added wear and tear of running while in poor condition can shorten your heating system’s life expectancy, forcing you to get a new one sooner than you should.
For Your Wallet
The cost of running a heating system while it struggles is more than you might expect. Of course, there’s the cost of more expensive repairs when a small problem is allowed to worsen and the cost of replacing the system when it should have kept working for a few more years. But it isn’t just that.
The vast majority of heating system issues will actually cause your furnace or boiler to use more energy. For example, short cycling (which may be caused by an overheating component or faulty limit switch) forces the system to start up and shut down repeatedly. Because starting up uses a lot more energy than simply continuing to run, short cycling can quickly drive your utility bills up.
For Your Peace of Mind
When you’re lying in bed at night, knowing it’s about two degrees out, and you hear the wind pick up and start howling around your house, you want to rest easy in knowing that your heating system can handle the strain. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your heating system is working safely.
Reach out to Cooling Unlimited, Inc. to speak with qualified HVAC experts.
