Fix And Enhance Heating Systems Before Winter's Icy Grip

As cooler months herald the coming of winter, these milder days are the perfect time to test your heating systems. It's better to find a heating failure while you're still debating long sleeves versus short sleeves than when the winter chills to the bone, so consider a few issues to resolve for continued comfort as the seasons shift.

Wiring Failure May Be The Easiest Fix

Heating systems have wiring in multiple areas that are connected but fixed in very different ways. They all may involve replacing wires, but take a look at each area to understand the difficulty.

The first area is the temperature control. If your heating system has a dial, knob, slide or screen to set the temperature, there is still a secondary control unit that creates the heat signal. You set the temperature and a signal must be sent to the heating system for a specific temperature. This is done by a computer--although not like the desktop or laptop variety--in the form of a board inside the heating system for modern heating units.

For dial-turn systems, the temperature depends on where the dial stops for an electrical signal. The click is mostly for your benefit, but it also represents a metal contact coming together at  specific location that says "please change to this temperature." The metal contacts can become corroded and worn out after time, which means it's time to replace any ripped wires and the metal contact inside.

The best option is to get a new control unit, which may mean a major upgrade if your heating unit is more than a decade old. Don't worry about it costing too much, as even Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) temperature controllers are at the basic cost area.

The next electrical trouble area is the path from the control boxes to the heating unit itself. Especially near the heater, a constant supply of heat can cause the electrical wires to wear out sooner than other wires through melting and burning.

These wires can be replaced, but it may be worth hiring a heating repair professional to change the wires for a more modern, heat-resistant type.

Ventilation Problems After Months Of No Use

One familiar smell of the cooler months is the stench of a heater that hasn't been turned on in a while. Yes, the burning dust smell will eventually go away, but if you're smelling burnt material for more than a week, deeper inspection may be necessary.

Dirt and debris may not be the only thing in there. Insects and small animals could have made nests in your ventilation ductwork, which means burnt nest material and waste could be burning and causing breathing hazards.

It's possible to clean out the ventilation on your own, but months of sitting dormant means that you'll need to clear the vents thoroughly. To save time and to ensure a thorough cleaning, contact a heating repair professional, such as Custom Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning Inc