Here are some common heating problems that come up during the cold months. We usually become aware of these issues by something we either see, hear, smell, or feel. In other words, we rely on our senses to alert us to a potential problem in our home.
This smell often occurs when Michiganders turn on their heating system for the first time. It usually means your heating system is just burning off the dust and dirt that has built up on it during the off-season.
The smell should stop in a few hours. If the smell continues, try replacing or cleaning the air filter in your furnace, which may be dirty. The filter should always be changed or cleaned (depending on its type) at the beginning of the season. Check it regularly during the heating season. Make sure you shut off your furnace before replacing the filter.
If changing the filter doesn’t work and you still smell something burning, shut your furnace off and call for service.
Does something in your home smell strange? Funky smells can often be caused by stagnant water. That’s the most common source of bad odors because water often turns to mold. Look for water leaks in the roof, foundation, or around sinks and other piping.
You may also sense fuel oil odors. If your heating oil system has been maintained properly, you should never smell fuel oil. An oil smell could be caused by a leak, burner troubles, heat exchanger failure or exhaust system problems. You should schedule professional service as soon as possible to correct this situation.
If you smell smoky odors when your burner is running, you may have a backdraft. For example, if a fireplace or exhaust fan is running at the same time as your oil burner, this can result in a smoky odor because a backdraft is pulling flue gases through the exhaust system and into the home.
Here are a few sounds and the possible cause. Note: a correct diagnosis can only be made with an onsite visit by a service technician.
If it takes longer to heat water than it used to, or the water doesn’t get as hot, these are strong signs that you are ready for a new water-heating unit. Other trouble signs include a slow leak from your tank or rust on the tank or in your tap water. (A water tank rusts from the inside out).
If you think your water heater is failing—the average water heater lasts anywhere from 7 to 13 years—please speak with your heating oil service company about your options in oil-fired water heaters.
If you see icicles hanging from your roof, this usually means that you’re losing heat through your attic. Icicles form when a roof has “hot spots” (caused by escaping heat), which melts snow. The water then trickles to colder spots on the roof and freezes. The water that drips over the eaves turns into icicles.
Eventually, ice dams can form, and the water trapped behind these mounds of ice can seep into the home, resulting in costly repairs.
The solution for heat loss and potential water damage is to seal air leaks in your attic and then improve the insulation. These steps will lower your heating costs—and reduce cooling bills in the summer too because your attic will keep less heat.
If you’re having any comfort problems at all, or think your furnace or boiler is not working properly, please reach out to your Michigan heating oil service provider
