Heating Repair in Charlottesville, VA

It’s the middle of winter, and your heater has malfunctioned! Don’t worry, we are here to help. Our team at The Otter Guys is here to help if you need heating system repair services in the Charlottesville, Virginia, area.

Signs You Need Heating System Repairs

Understanding the signs of malfunctioning heating systems can help you better understand when you need repairs. Recognizing the early signs of damage can help you get the necessary repairs to your HVAC system before the problem worsens. Here are some of the signs that your furnace needs professional assistance:

Strange Odors

It’s never a good sign when you’re smelling strange odors from heating systems inside of your home. While it’s not unusual for furnaces to smell like fuel, especially when they turn on for the first time in a long time, the odors should dissipate as the unit runs. If you notice the odor doesn’t go away, there may be an issue. 

Strange odors can indicate several issues, including a natural gas leak or excessive dust inside the unit. If you notice a strong smell of fuel, contact an HVAC system professional quickly and turn off the gas in your furnace. Remember, the smell of gas was invented to be a warning sign, so heed that warning! 

Difficulty Turning on the Furnace

It’s not too uncommon to have issues getting a furnace to start, especially if it’s been a while since you used it. More often than not, this is due to old age and wear and tear. However, it can also be a sign that something wrong with the furnace needs addressing. 

If you have to start the unit or restart your furnace several times throughout the day, your furnace more than likely needs repairs. There are several different reasons for this. Some of those potential causes include disconnected wiring or damaged thermostats. Replacing the affected part should solve the problem. 

Discolored Pilot Light

It’s important to frequently check on your pilot light. The pilot light is a small, blue flame that is used to ignite the natural gas being pumped into the main burner. As a homeowner, you should periodically check the color of your pilot light. If everything works how it should, the pilot light should appear blue. 

If it appears a different color, especially yellow, there might be a natural gas ventilation problem. Color changes happen when gasses like carbon monoxide don’t dissipate as they should. This can be hazardous to you and your family. It also makes your heater more combustible if not addressed.

Inadequate Heat

This one might seem obvious, but you will likely need heating system repairs if your heater isn’t doing its job properly. If your heating system is not producing heat or is only producing low levels of heat, you should first check your thermostat. If there are no problems there, it’s time to schedule heating system repairs. 

One of potential cause of this is leaky air ducts. If there’s a leak in the ductwork, treated air will escape. It can be difficult for thermostats to properly relay this information to the furnace. Even if your unit is able to compensate for this by pumping more air, this spike will show up on high-energy bills. 

If your furnace is older and you have had to repair it more frequently over the last few years, you may be better suited to consider replacing the heating system. Call us; we’d be happy to help you understand your furnace replacement options.

Loud Noises

No system in your home is dead silent. In fact, if your furnace makes zero noise, it’s often a sign that something is wrong. While we would like to hear something from our heater to ensure it’s still working, persistent loud noises can indicate a serious issue that needs immediate attention.

Pay attention to the sounds your heater makes, and try to describe them to your HVAC technicians when they inspect the system. Any squealing or whistling noises should lead to an immediate call to an HVAC system repair company. These noises typically come from the belt or fan, while banging or groaning comes from loose internal components. 

Poor Indoor Air Quality

Since your furnace pumps warm air into your home, it’s easy to see how much the furnace impacts the air quality of your home. A poorly maintained or damaged system can move dirt, bacteria, and other foreign particles throughout your home and the heated air. If you notice floating dust in the air, it could be a sign that something is wrong with your furnace.

According to the EPA, poor air quality can lead to frequent coughing, colds, and other respiratory ailments. If you or someone else in the home has allergies, poor air quality can cause symptoms like itchiness, watery eyes, and headaches. Sometimes this is caused by something as simple as an air filter sticking around too long. In more serious cases, an HVAC system expert will need to thoroughly clean the ductwork. 

Tripped Carbon-Monoxide Detector

Your furnace has a carbon monoxide detector that will alert you to the presence of any toxic gasses. If this detector goes off, it’s time to take immediate action. Turn your furnace off immediately and open all the windows in your home for ventilation. 

Next, you should immediately contact a professional and stay away from the inside of your home. A professional technician and your natural gas company will be able to determine the source of the gas.

If you notice any of the signs listed above, you should schedule an assessment and repairs as soon as possible. Putting off repairs will only lead to further damage and more expensive repairs down the line.

Why Choose The Otter Guys for Your Heating System Repair Needs?

When you need heating system repairs, you need a trustworthy HVAC service company. At The Otter Guys, we have years of experience and expertise working with homeowners in the Charlottesville, VA, area! From the moment you give us a call, we will try our best to have a heating system repair technician at your home within the hour.

On top of our top-of-the-line services, we provide the best customer service the HVAC service industry offers! When you work with us, our hope is that you never choose an HVAC system company “otter” than us. The way we can achieve that is by providing the best service imaginable. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Heating System Repairs

As a heating and cooling system service company, we’re here to help our customers in any way we can. One of the ways we can do this is by answering some frequently asked questions we get. Some of these questions include:

What’s the Best Way to Avoid Repair Services To Heating Systems?

The easiest way to minimize the likelihood of pricey heating system repair services is with regular maintenance services. Maintenance services will help ensure there are no underlying issues with your heater. If left unchecked, these issues can lead to expensive repairs. When you choose The Otter Guys for your maintenance needs, we will send a heating and air conditioning technician to your home twice a year to ensure everything runs smoothly. Maintenance services also prep the unit for the winter months, ensuring it runs as efficiently as possible. 

Can I Perform Heating System Repairs Myself?

We often get asked if it’s possible for a homeowner to repair their heating and air conditioning unit themselves. While saving a few bucks on repairs may seem tempting, we strongly recommend against this. Even though there are plenty of tutorials on the internet at your disposal, no one will understand the complexities of your unit quite like an expert. Without proper training and experience, you stand the risk of damaging your heating and air conditioning unit even further. More importantly, heating units are complex machines with many parts, most electrical. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you place yourself at risk of injury. 

Do I Need Repairs Or A Replacement?

Sometimes the damage to a unit can be so bad that replacing the unit altogether is a better choice than repairs. If your equipment is 10 years or older or the repair costs are extremely high, it might be time to consider replacing your heating system. One of our technicians will help you decide whether or not a replacement is necessary. 

We’re Ready to Help With Your Heating System Repair Needs

If you’re looking for heating repair services in the Charlottesville, VA, area, our team at The Otter Guys is here to help. We offer a wide range of HVAC services, including HVAC repair, maintenance, and installation. We also offer emergency HVAC services for your peace of mind. Call us today to find out what we can do for you and your needs!