When the weather gets cold, you might think your heating system will kick into gear and keep you warm. However, this isn’t always the case. In fact, there are a number of factors that can affect your heating system’s performance and leave you feeling like there’s no heat in your home.
In 2018 alone, there were over 10 million heating system issues reported by US homeowners. Of those 10 million issues, nearly 4 million were related to heating system maintenance or repair; 3 million were related to heating problems; 1 million were related to both; and 2 million involved other types of issues.
So, when your heating system does not work, you may be wondering: what are these factors? Is it worth it to hire a furnace repair technician in Doylestown to repair or replace my heating system? What should I do if my heating system breaks down?
Well. We’ve got all the answers for you.
In this article, we will cover the various types of heating systems, signs that indicate you need to repair your heating system, and some simple maintenance tips.
Types of Heating Systems
Heating systems are an essential part of any home. If you want to live in a comfortable environment, then you will need a heating system.
According to a recent survey, nearly 90% of American homeowners use their heating systems to warm their homes. This means that your heating system is one of the most important parts of your home and must always be working properly.
There are so many different types of heating systems that you can choose from. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Furnace
A furnace is a heating system that burns fuel to generate heat. The most common type of furnace has a burner, which heats up the air inside of a metal tube. The hot air then travels through ductwork and warms up the rest of the house.
Furnaces can be fueled by natural gas, propane, or electricity. They are usually installed in a central location in your home and connected to ductwork that distributes warm air throughout your house. Furnaces are relatively efficient, but they can be expensive to operate.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps are one of the most popular kinds of heating systems. They use electricity to heat your home by moving heat from one area to another. A heat pump uses two different methods to do this. First, it takes the heat out of one area and moves it into another area. Second, it takes the cold air and raises its temperature so that it becomes warm air.
Boiler heating system
A boiler heating system uses water as its primary fuel source, making it an eco-friendly option compared to other heating systems, such as electric radiators or wood stoves. Boilers operate by converting energy into heat through combustion or steam generation rather than electricity, as many other modern heating systems do nowadays. This means they’re more reliable than other options because there aren’t any electrical components involved with them at all!
Hydronic heating systems
Hydronic heating systems are the most common type of heat system used in homes and businesses. These systems are usually connected to a boiler, which generates hot water that is circulated through pipes throughout the home or building. Radiant heating systems are also very common and use hot water or steam to warm up rooms. Radiant heating systems have been used for decades, but they’re still one of the most efficient ways to heat a space.
Radiant heating systems
Radiant heating systems are designed to warm up an entire room using radiant panels on walls, floors, or ceilings. These panels produce heat that radiates into a room and warms up everything it touches. Hydronic heating systems work similarly by warming up water with an electric element and then pumping it through a series of pipes throughout your home or business.
Electric baseboard heaters
Electric baseboard heaters are commonly used in homes to provide supplemental heat. These are usually mounted on the wall near the floor but can also be mounted on the ceiling. They are often used in tandem with other types of heating systems to ensure that the home’s temperature is maintained at a comfortable level, even if one part of the house has more heat than another (such as an area where you work at home).
Active solar heating
Active solar heating works by using the sun to create hot water or steam that is then used to heat your home or office. This heating system requires little maintenance and is cost-effective because it doesn’t require electricity like some other types of solar panels. It’s also environmentally friendly because there are no emissions released into the atmosphere like there would be if you used traditional fossil fuels instead (like coal or natural gas).
Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces
Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are also very popular choices for heating a home because they can provide a cozy atmosphere that feels like home but also keeps you warm during those cold winter months when temperatures start dropping outside! These types of systems tend to be more expensive than other types because they require regular maintenance, such as cleaning out ashes or replacing logs on a regular basis, so they continue functioning properly over time without breaking down prematurely due to overuse (which could cause injuries if not maintained properly).
Comparison Table: Different Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and cooling systems are one of the most important components in your home. They ensure that you can keep your house at a comfortable temperature, no matter the weather.
How do you choose the best heating and cooling system for your home?
Here’s a comparison table highlighting the key features and characteristics of different heating and cooling systems that should help you make an informed decision.
| System | Fuel/Power Source | Heating Method | Cooling Method | Pros | Cons |
| Furnace | Gas, oil, electric | Forced air | N/A | Quick and efficient heating | Separate cooling system required |
| Boiler | Gas, oil, electric | Radiators, baseboards, radiant floors | N/A | Effective heating for large spaces | Separate cooling system required |
| Heat Pump | Electricity | Air-source, ground-source, water-source | Reverses cycle to provide cooling | Efficient dual heating and cooling system | Less effective in extreme climates, higher upfront cost |
| Electric Baseboard | Electricity | Electric resistance | N/A | Easy to install and control, individual room heating | High energy consumption may not be suitable for large spaces |
| Radiant Heating | Gas, electricity | Radiant floors, walls, or ceilings | N/A | Comfortable, even heat distribution | Slower response time, higher installation cost |
| Active Solar | Solar energy | Solar collectors | N/A | Renewable energy source, potential cost savings | Requires ample sunlight; a backup heating system may be needed |
| Wood-Burning Stove | Wood logs, pellets | Combustion | N/A | Cozy, traditional heating option | Requires a constant supply of fuel, ventilation, and maintenance needed |
10 Signs It’s Time for Heating and Cooling Service
If you live in a cold climate, your heating system is probably one of the most important things in your home. If it breaks down, you can’t just turn up the thermostat and wait for it to get fixed—there’s no “off” setting for freezing temperatures.
In fact, if your heating system isn’t working properly, you could be putting yourself and your family at risk for serious health issues like carbon monoxide poisoning.
But when should you call in a professional? And how can you tell if it’s time to call for help?
Here are 10 signs that indicate it’s time to call a furnace professional for heating repair Doylestown.
Insufficient or Inconsistent Heating
If your home is not as warm as it should be during the winter months, or if areas remain cold even when the rest of the house is heated properly, your heating system may need repair.
Unusual Noises
A loud sound coming from your furnace can be a sign that something is wrong with your heating system. If you notice an unusual noise coming from your furnace or other parts of your home’s heating system, turn off all power to that area and contact CDO Heating and Air Inc. immediately.
Weak Airflow
If you notice that your home’s heating and air conditioning Doylestown PA is blowing out weak air and not adequately warming up your home, it could be due to several different problems. The first thing you should do is check your thermostat’s settings to make sure they’re set correctly. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the thermostat or look for heating and cooling near me and give it a tune-up.
Frequent Cycling
If your furnace is cycling on and off more than once per hour during the day, this could be an indication that there’s something wrong with your thermostat or wiring. In this case, it is important to call in an HVAC professional because they will be able to diagnose and fix any problems as soon as possible.
High Energy Bills
If your energy bills are high, it’s probably because your heating system is in dire need of repair. Your heating system works by pulling in cold air from the outside and heating it up before sending it into your home. If your furnace or heat pump isn’t working properly, then it will be unable to heat your house. This means that you’ll have to replace it as soon as possible.
Foul Odors
Foul odors coming from your heating system could mean a few different things: either there are animals living inside of it, a leak somewhere causing mold growth, or the filter has failed and needs replacing. Whatever the case may be, foul smells mean that you should call a professional ductless heating and cooling Doylestown immediately so they can come in and take care of things for you!
Constant On/Off Cycling
If your heating system keeps cycling on and off, that’s a sign that the problem lies within the thermostat itself. The thermostat is designed to keep the house at a constant temperature, but if it’s unable to do so, then it’ll cycle on and off until it can’t anymore. In this case, you should probably call an HVAC professional in Doylestown, PA, to come out and look at your system.
Yellow or Flickering Pilot Light
A yellow or flickering pilot light means that there is insufficient gas pressure in your home’s system. This can cause an increase in energy costs and can make it difficult for your furnace or boiler to function properly. It may also indicate that issues with your thermostat or wiring require attention before they become more serious problems down the road!
Cold Spots or Uneven Heating
This is one of the biggest signs that something is wrong with your heating system. If there are areas in your home that are warm and other areas that are cold, this may be an indication that your furnace needs to be replaced or repaired.
Age of the System
If your home was built in the 1950s or earlier, then the odds are good that your heating system is original to the house and has been around for a long time—probably much longer than its lifespan! This means it could be malfunctioning or even unsafe for use right now. You might want to consider replacing this old equipment sooner rather than later so as not to risk having issues with it while people are staying overnight during cold weather conditions such as snow storms or blizzards when temperatures drop below freezing outside. Don’t waste a minute. Call a Furnace Installation professional in Doylestown, PA!
7 Tips for Heating System Maintenance
Your heating system is a big investment, and keeping it in good shape is essential. In order to do that, you need to be sure you’re taking the right steps. Here are seven tips for how to maintain your heating system:
Regularly check the air filter.
This simple step can help save you money on energy costs by ensuring your furnace isn’t working as hard to heat your home. Change your filters every 3 months (more often if you have pets).
Clean the coils once a year.
The coils are where the heat from your furnace is transferred into the air in your home—and they can get dirty over time! A quick cleaning will help ensure that your furnace can do its job efficiently and effectively, which means lower energy bills for you!
Get an inspection every year.
You should have your furnace inspected at least once a year by a professional who knows what they’re doing. This is especially important if you live in an area where winters are harsh and long, as well as if you have any issues with humidity or mold in your home. These inspections will also help prevent costly repairs down the road by identifying problems early on before they become more serious ones which require more extensive fixes and often lead to more expensive repair bills later on down the road when left untreated for too long due to lack of regular maintenance checks from professionals who know what they’re doing when it comes to these kinds of things!
Don’t forget about air ducts!
Air ducts can clog up easily if they aren’t cleaned regularly, which can lead to poor air quality in your home and higher energy bills down the line. Make sure you schedule an annual cleaning of your air ducts at least once yearly so that they don’t become clogged up with dirt and dust particles that could otherwise be circulating through your home’s heating system all winter (or summer).
Keep an eye on your thermostat settings.
Turn down the heat when no one’s home or sleeping so your system doesn’t run constantly when it doesn’t need to be running at all hours of the day (and night!). You can also set the thermostat back a few degrees during winter months if you don’t mind being chilly for a bit each morning before you get out of bed—this will help you save on energy costs over time.
Clean out your radiators.
Radiators can also get clogged with dust and debris over time, so it’s important to clean them regularly as well. You can do this by using a cloth or brush (be sure not to use anything metal) to wipe away any buildup that has collected around the edges of each radiator.
Check the gas line for leaks.
Gas lines can leak in several ways: from old pipes that are rusted out or cracked, faulty valves or connections, or poor installation workmanship during initial installation years ago. If you suspect that your gas line may be leaking, call an HVAC expert immediately!
Let the HVAC Professional Do The Best Work for You and Your Family!
If your heating system is on the fritz, you can’t afford to wait. Whether it’s a broken part or a malfunctioning thermostat, HVAC issues can lead to more serious problems if they aren’t addressed quickly.
Luckily, you don’t have to deal with this problem on your own. At CDO Heating and Air Inc., we understand how important your heating system is to your family’s health and safety—and we’re here to help! We have been serving Doylestown, PA, for over 25 years, and we’ve seen it all, from simple repair jobs to full-blown system replacements.
Our technicians are all trained professionals who have many years of experience working with Heating System Services for All Types in Doylestown, ranging from gas-powered furnaces to electric heat pumps. We know how important it is that you have peace of mind while we work on your system, which is why we always show up on time and finish our jobs quickly.
Whether you need us for emergency repairs or just want us to inspect one of your HVAC units before winter comes around again (we know how important that is!), we’d love the opportunity to help! Give us a call today at (267) 481-7787!