Signs That You May Need An Immediate Heating Service
In the dead of winter, you may simply want to wrap yourself under a blanket and let your heating system warm your house. However, you may face an emergency situation that requires an immediate heating service. There are a few indications that you are dealing with something that is fairly serious. Find out about the indications so you know when to jump up from the couch to contact your heating contractor.
Smell Of Burned Plastic Or Rubber
If you are sitting quietly in your home and suddenly smell a strong rubber or plastic burning odor coming from your heating vents, then you should turn off your unit as soon as possible and contact a professional. You also may want to open a window if the odor is strong and is causing a headache or nausea.
The problem is oftentimes an electrical issue where the wires attached to the heating unit have warmed to the degree that the coating on them has burned off. The wires may also be ones that are attached to your electric ignition if you have a natural gas heater in the home.
In other cases, the odor may be coming from the blower motor or a rubber belt inside the heater. However, since the issue may be a highly dangerous electrical problem, you do not want to investigate the problem yourself. Fires can occur due to the heat, and this can be deadly.
Heating services, in this case, require investigation and the possible replacement of wiring, the blower motor, or the damaged rubber belt. If wiring has burned, then an emergency electrician may also be needed to find out why the breaker was not tripped before the wires became hot.
Squealing Noises
If you suddenly hear a squealing noise when your heater turns on, then this is a sign that your blower motor is starting to fail. Specifically, the bearings are breaking down and friction within the motor is leading to the squealing. While this is not a dangerous situation, if the issue is not handled in a timely manner, the blower motor can completely burn out. This is a much more expensive repair than a bearing replacement.
During the heating service, your blower motor will be inspected, and if possible, the bearings will be replaced. Since a misalignment of the motor and the housing surrounding it can also cause screeching noises, the professional may spend some time realigning the motor.
If you are having a heating problem during the winter, it is always wise to contact a professional to see if the issue is one that warrants an immediate heating service. Contact a company like Keil Plumbing & Heating Inc to learn more.