How to Deal with Winter Heating Problems

It’s another winter in Brooklyn, and homeowners are depending on their heating systems to make life bearable. We want all of our neighbors to stay warm, so here are some of the warning signs of a heating system that is not running at full capacity.

Fluctuating Temperatures

Do certain rooms in your Brooklyn home stay warmer or cooler than others? These fluctuations might indicate a problem with the heating system. Have a licensed professional inspect the boiler for problems and give it a tune-up.

Noises

When your heating system is running, does it make mysterious noises? Although some noise is normal, sometimes sounds such as banging, whining, or grinding can indicate a problem.

Banging can be caused by a build-up of minerals on the surface of the heat exchanger, causing pockets of localized boiling, or a delay in ignition at the beginning of a heating cycle, which can lead to excess fuel building up.

Whining can be cause by a small hole in the boiler or a restructured fuel line in an oil boiler. It could also be related to failed bearings in the fan motor.

Grinding can mean the ball bearings in the motor are not lubricated properly. This causes grinding and wear. All three of these noises could bear investigation by a licensed professional to ensure that any problems with the boiler are corrected before turning into major issues.

High Heating Bills

Does warming your house burn through your bank account? This could mean it’s time for an upgrade. The useful lifespan of a boiler is about 15 years. If yours is older than that, its useful lifespan is coming to an end. Dumping money into it through routine maintenance and repairs can often keep it running for longer, but older models are not as energy efficient as new models. Investing in a new system can pay for itself in just a few winters through reduced heating bills.

If your boiler is acting up or is making weird noises, the team at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning can help advise you on whether repairing or replacing it would make the most sense. If you need assistance, contact us at (718) 748-1254 today.