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Most people survive the cold months in temperate climates by using gas heaters. Unsurprisingly, many people consider the availability of a reliable heater when searching for a new home. Unfortunately, most homeowners overlook the vital aspect of servicing their gas heaters regularly.
A gas heater will only perform optimally when serviced regularly by a qualified professional. Failure to stick to a regular maintenance routine will lead to higher energy costs and can also be a source of potential safety hazards. Your responsibility towards owning a gas heater does not stop at paying for it.
It also involves scheduling annual service appointments with qualified professionals who can thoroughly clean and service the unit. It would be best if you also endeavoured to check the manufacturer's guidelines, as there may be specific maintenance requirements.
If you make gas heater servicing one of your top priorities, you can be reasonably assured that your home will remain warm and comfortable through the cold winter months. So, read on to access all the necessary information that you may need to keep your gas heater adequately maintained.
Why is a Gas Heater Service Important?
Different complications can arise from using a malfunctioning appliance in your home. Some of these complications include; high running costs, sudden failure of the appliance, and even harm to your health.
Therefore, as soon as you discover that your gas heater is not working correctly, you should not delay giving it a thorough checkup. This also applies to the one you use in the office or any other place.
When you get your gas heater serviced, it helps ensure that your water heater or gas space heater is always in good condition. As this appliance plays an important role, you must consider servicing it regularly.
What Does Gas Heater Servicing Involve?
When it is time to service your gas heater, part of the process involves ensuring that all the components are correctly checked and confirmed to be in good condition. This process involves checking the thermostat, heat exchanger, gas pressure, flue, and burner, amongst other components.
During gas heater servicing, it is necessary to ensure that there is no carbon monoxide (CO) leak from the appliance into the home. This gas is highly toxic, and strict rules must be followed during gas heater servicing to prevent any leakages from occurring.
How to Know When to Service Your Gas Heater
Although it will cost you some money, running a regular maintenance routine for your gas heater is necessary. If you fail to do this, you might get stuck without warmth during the cold winter months. A faulty gas heater also poses a significant health hazard to you and your family.
Your ability to detect your gas appliance needs servicing is the key to always having a fully functional gas heater. The following are eight common signs that show you need to carry out a gas heater repair as soon as possible:
Strange smells
Suppose you notice a pungent smell from your gas heater shortly after it was installed. However, this strong smell will stop with time; thus, you will have nothing to worry about. If, on the other hand, the pungent smell lingers over a long time, you should consider getting the appliance serviced.
For example, where there is a strong smell coming from the exhaust, it can be an indication of poor combustion. You will not be able to smell carbon monoxide, but you should be able to perceive the Aldehydes, which are products of poor combustion.
Gas leakage
When there is a gas leak, you already have an apparent reason for a gas heater service. Since a smell accompanies a gas leak, it should be easy to detect it when it occurs.
A gas leak is dangerous, and the best thing to do in such situations is to call a professional plumber for necessary adjustments and servicing. As soon as a gas leak is detected, the first thing to do is to turn off the heater.
This is necessary because the gas from the appliance is highly flammable. As little as a tiny spark can lead to extreme damage to your home and may even cause bodily harm or loss of life to the occupants. An additional precaution you can take is to exit the house or office immediately until your plumber comes to address the situation.
Ageing appliance
As is the case with other appliances you use at home, the older your gas heater becomes, the more maintenance and servicing it will need. It could get to the point where it becomes hard to turn the heater on and keep it running.
If you discover that it is taking several attempts before you can start your gas heater or need to restart it many times a day, you should know it is time to get your heater serviced.
The problem may be due to one of several simple issues, such as dirty filters, indoor AC coils, and secondary heat exchangers. The issue could also be caused by a dirty flame sensor which can cause it to work intermittently.
Uneven heating
You may notice that your gas heater is not performing optimally. This is the case if the appliance is not heating your entire space as it should. At such times, the gas heater needs to be serviced.
If the appliance works as it should, there should be no cold or hot patches around your home or office where it is installed, and there should be even heating. However, it would be best to remember that different temperatures could exist in different parts of your property.
For example, you may discover that the upstairs is warmer than the basement. If you find a lot of difference in temperatures within the same area, it is a sure sign that you should consider a gas heater repair immediately.
High energy bills
You will need to pay some energy bills when you use your gas heater. However, when there is a sharp increase in your power bills, it could be a sign that your gas heater is no longer efficient.
At such times, it requires servicing, and you should have it checked properly to determine what is causing the drop in efficiency. If this is done on time, it can help you save a portion of money on your energy bills.
Carbon monoxide alarm alerts
If your carbon monoxide (CO) alarm keeps going off, it's a warning sign that a gas leak in your home or office needs immediate attention. Ignoring the problem can have profound health implications.
A crack in your gas heater's heat exchanger can create a space for gas, including carbon monoxide, to leak into your home or office. Carbon monoxide is toxic but odourless and colourless. Human senses can't detect it, but a CO alarm can alert you to its presence. If the alarm sounds, it's essential to contact a professional plumber immediately for help.
Benefits of Regular Gas Heater Servicing
Regular gas heater servicing can provide several benefits, so it's essential to consider it a routine practice. Some of the benefits of regular servicing include:
Saves energy
If you can service your gas heater regularly, one of the benefits you will enjoy is the savings you will make on money for energy bills. The heating system will work more efficiently and smoothly. In this situation, as you save some money, you will also be able to save energy.
Enhances durability
Most gas heaters aren't cheap, so they must be protected. When you get your gas heater serviced regularly, it will be able to last longer, which means you will have greater value for your investment in the long run.
Improves safety
Gas heaters are made to comply with safety measures and guidelines. However, to keep the appliances working efficiently and safely, it is vital to carry out regular or annual servicing. This ensures no carbon monoxide leaks, guaranteeing your safety as well as other members of your family.
Hire a Reliable Gas Heating Servicing
Once you have invested in your gas heater, you would want to do everything possible to ensure it works properly and doesn't develop faults. One surefire way to do this is to allow only certified professionals to handle your gas heater's servicing.
Although many people can claim to be proficient in gas heater repairs, you should only consider hiring the best hands as this will ensure you can keep using it for a long time.
