Nobody likes to think about their heating system breaking down during chilly weather, but if it happens to you, Trademasters can help. In this article, we’re sharing some practical tips on how to recognize signs that your heating system may be in distress, how to stay warm while waiting for help, and how Trademasters provides you with the emergency repairs you need. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Five Signs that You Need Heating Repair

Of course, the best thing you can do is call Trademasters before cold weather sets in to have a preventative maintenance check done. You should regularly look for signs from your heating system that it’s in need of repair before trouble starts. Often, your furnace or boiler will give you a warning before it breaks down completely. A few signs to look out for include:

• Strange Noises: Furnaces that emit squealing or banging noises, and boilers that are making popping or pinging sounds likely need repair. If you notice any of these sounds coming from your heating equipment, your best course of action is to schedule a service call as soon as possible.
• Inconsistent Heating: If you constantly have to adjust your thermostat, or if there are cold spots in your home that don’t seem to be receiving any heat at all, chances are you need to consider some repairs. This may not be due to an issue with your heating equipment, but rather with your ductwork or radiator.
• Unpleasant Odors: Sometimes, your heating system may emit unpleasant odors that smell like burning rubber or plastic. This can be a sign of component failure, such as a worn belt. If your furnace is sending out bad odors, make an appointment right away. Of course, if you notice smoke or flames, or notice an egg odor leave your home immediately and call 911. Natural gas can give off an egg smell.
• High Utility Bills: When your heating system isn’t working properly, you may notice an inexplicable spike in your utility bills. This is an indicator that your heating system isn’t working efficiently and is in need of service.
• Aging Heating System: If you have an older heating system, it probably will eventually need some repairs and component replacements. If your older system isn’t keeping your home as comfortable as you’d like, consider getting a safety and performance checkup.

2.  How to Stay Warm While Waiting for a Repair

If your heating system breaks down, you might be worried about how to keep your family warm and your home safe until help arrives. While Trademasters is on-call 24/7 for heating emergencies, it is still likely your home will quickly chill while help is on the way. Here are a few tips on how you can stay warm and toasty while waiting for help:

• Gather in one space in the home. Gathering the family in the living room can help you all stay warmer via body heat. Snuggle under some comfy blankets and watch a movie. Layer clothing and don a winter hat if needed. Keeping your head warm can help keep your entire body warmer, too.
• Use a Space Heater. If you have an electric space heater, put it to use. Make sure to position it at least 3 feet from furniture or walls and never leave the room with the space heater running unattended. Do not use the space heater overnight when no one is awake to monitor it.
• Let your faucets drip. If your pipes are prone to freezing, it’s a good idea to allow your faucets to drip a bit if the heat stops working in your home. By keeping them open, the water will continue to flow and help prevent freezing the pipes.
• Do not use the oven as a heat source! You should never use your oven as a source of heat in your home for safety reasons. An electric oven left open, even just a crack, at the highest heat can melt temperature dials. With gas ovens, the danger is carbon monoxide poisoning. Heating a home or apartment with a gas oven may produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Trademasters is ready to help you get the heating repairs you need

At Trademasters, you don’t need to worry about our office hours or whether a technician is available. We have a 24/7 live answering service to take your calls in the event of an emergency.

Being proactive with regular maintenance can save you money and helps you avoid the discomfort that comes with no heat in the middle of winter. If you need heating equipment repair, whether it’s a furnace, boiler, heat pump, ductless system, or something else, don’t hesitate to contact us at (703) 644-6400.