3 Tips on Avoiding Costly HVAC Repairs This Heating Season

Homeowners in Carrboro, North Carolina, are starting to experience chilly temperatures. But before you start cranking up your furnace on those cold nights, you still have to schedule your annual preventive HVAC maintenance and take some of your own steps to avoid costly repairs. Here are three tips to avoid costly HVAC repairs this heating season:

Monitor the Furnace Flames

Are there yellow-tipped blue flames in your furnace? That’s normal with propane gas or natural gas as furnace fuel. It indicates that your furnace is burning the fuel safely and efficiently.

Yellow or orange flames point to a problem. Switch off the heating system at once and call a service technician to check the furnace for combustion issues. If there are greenish streaks with the yellow or orange flames, your furnace needs professional cleaning or adjustment. Since repairing or cleaning a furnace is dangerous work, leave it to a professional rather than attempt it yourself. As a result, you’ll prevent further damage and personal injury.

Inspect the Condensate Drain Line

The condensate drain line sits under the furnace’s evaporator coil. It serves as an exit for the water that forms when the evaporator coil condenses humidity from your air. If you notice water leaking from the furnace base or accumulating within, the problem might lie with the condensate drain line. It may have developed a crack or have frozen over, preventing the water from flowing out.

You need to address the problem as soon as possible, as it can affect heating efficiency and also significantly damage your HVAC system. Call an HVAC service technician to replace the condensate drain line, preferably with an insulated drain line that won’t freeze in the winter.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

By alerting you to exhaust pipe or heat exchanger problems, they will prevent costly repairs as well as carbon monoxide poisoning. If you hear four beeps, go outside into the fresh air immediately and remain there until a service technician has fixed the problem and aired the premises.

For a professional assessment of your HVAC unit, call Warren-Hay Mechanical at 919-251-5615. We undertake routine HVAC maintenance to keep your system in good shape. As a result, you’ll avoid costly HVAC repairs in the heating season.

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