Heat is a necessity, but it can also be a pain. Do you know the average person spends about 90,000 hours of their life in a home with a heating or cooling system?
About 70% of the energy used in a typical home is for heating and cooling.
But it’s not fun to have to deal with your heating system when it isn’t working properly.
The good news is that there are ways to help prevent your heating system from breaking down and ensure you know when repairs are necessary.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of heating systems and their functions. We’ll also take a look at some major signs when you need to get your HVAC repaired by professionals, as well as how professional HVAC services can help your home feel comfortable all year long.
Let’s explore.
How Does the Heating System Work?
Heating systems work by heating the air that is being pushed through the ducts. This is done using a furnace or boiler to heat water, which then turns into steam. The steam travels through pipes and warms up the air inside the ducts.
The warm air then travels through vents in your home, warming it up throughout your home.
The specific functioning of a heating system can vary depending on the type of system, but we’ll provide a general overview of how a typical forced-air heating system works.
- Fuel Source: The heating system is connected to a fuel source, which could be natural gas, oil, propane, or electricity. The fuel is combusted or converted into heat energy within the system.
- Heat Generation: The fuel is burned or electrically heated within a furnace or boiler. In a gas or oil furnace, the fuel is ignited, and the resulting flame heats a metal heat exchanger. In an electric furnace, heating elements are used to generate heat directly.
- Air Circulation: Once the heat is generated, a blower or fan forces air over the heat exchanger or heating elements, where it absorbs the heat energy. The heated air becomes warm and is then ready for distribution.
- Ductwork: The heated air is pushed into a network of ducts, usually made of metal, and installed throughout the building. These ducts carry the warm air from the furnace to the various rooms or spaces in the building.
- Air Registers or Vents: There are openings called air registers or vents in each room or space. The warm air is delivered into these openings, allowing it to flow into the room and raise the temperature.
- Thermostat Control: The heating system is normally regulated by a thermostat that is set to the appropriate temperature. When the room temperature falls below the specified point, the thermostat instructs the heating system to begin producing heat. When the target temperature is attained, the thermostat instructs the system to turn off.
- Cycle Continuation: To maintain the correct temperature, the heating system will cycle on and off as needed. The thermostat constantly monitors the temperature of the space and adjusts the heating system accordingly.
Types of Heating Systems
If you’re looking for an efficient way to heat your home, you might have heard about some of the different heating systems out there. But what are the differences between them?
Heating or Air conditioning experts in Lodi will explain some of the famous types of heating systems:
Furnace
A furnace is a device for heating a home, office, or other building using combustion. It works by burning gas, oil, wood pellets, or coal to heat water that flows through pipes in the system. The burning fuel heats up the water, which heats up the air around it when it flows out through vents in the home. Furnaces are typically used to warm spaces that are not occupied full-time (like businesses).
Boiler Heating System
A boiler heating system is a closed vessel used to produce steam or hot water using fuel such as wood or coal. A boiler burns fuel in an enclosed flame tube within its own firebox; this flame heats the liquid (e.g., water) in an inner container until it turns into steam and then funnels out through one or more tubes called flues. The heated liquid then travels through one or more radiators before returning to the boiler as condensate, where it repeats the process over again.
Heat Pumps
The heat pump is a device that uses electricity to move heat from an area with a low temperature to an area with a high temperature. The heat pump can be used to heat or cool your home. To heat your home, the outdoor coil of the unit will collect heat from the air outside, while the indoor coil collects heat from inside your home. The heat collected is then transferred into your home through ducts.
Radiant Heating System
Radiant heating systems use water as a heating medium instead of circulating air like other types of heating systems do. They work by warming up concrete floors or panels that are embedded in them using electric resistance coils embedded in them. The warm surface radiates this warmth into the room, creating a comfortable environment for people living inside it.
Hydronic Heating Systems
Hydronic heating systems are the most common type of heating system. The heat is distributed through a network of pipes, which can be done either with water or air. This type of heating system is often used in large buildings, such as schools and offices.
Electric Baseboard Heaters
Electric baseboard heaters are another popular option for home heating. They are typically placed on the floor and have an electric element that heats up to produce heat. These types of heaters don’t require much maintenance and are relatively inexpensive to install. They are also very quiet, so they won’t disturb other activities while they’re being used.
The Ductless Mini-Split System
This is an excellent option for people who want to keep their heating costs as low as possible. These systems use a compressor to make room temperature air warmer, and then they distribute it through a network of tubes throughout your home. It can be installed in any room of your house or apartment.
8 Signs You Are in Dire Need Of heating Repair
If you’re like most people, you’re probably not a heating & air conditioning expert. But that doesn’t mean you can’t tell when something’s wrong with your heat. Here are some signs that you might need to call in the professionals:
Insufficient Heat
If your place is too cold, then clearly something is wrong! Maybe it’s something simple (like a thermostat), or maybe it’s something harder (like a broken furnace), but either way, it needs fixing ASAP before your pipes freeze and burst or your pipes start leaking water into your walls, which can cause serious damage that could cost thousands of dollars to fix! Get the HVAC expert on the phone ASAP.
No Heat
If you’ve got no hot water coming out of your faucets, or if the hot water heater is completely dead and unable to produce any heat, this could be a sign that there’s something wrong with the heating system itself—even if everything else seems fine. It may not be an emergency yet, but it might be worth calling an experienced heating system repair expert to have them look at things before they get worse!
Strange Noises
If you hear strange noises from your furnace or air conditioner, it could be a sign that something is wrong. The sound may be coming from an obstruction in the system or a loose connection. If this happens, look for a professional heating system repair near me right away so they can come out and repair it as soon as possible!
Unusual Odors
When you smell something unusual coming from your furnace or air conditioner, there could be several different things causing this smell. If you notice any kind of burning smell coming from inside your unit, it’s best to get someone over there right away! This could mean something is wrong with your unit and needs fixing immediately before things get even worse!
Frequent Cycling
If your furnace is cycling on and off, this is a sign that there is an issue with your system, and it needs to be fixed as soon as possible. If you’re noticing this happening more than usual, it could mean there’s something wrong with your thermostat or its wiring. Either way, you should call an HVAC repair heating system expert immediately so they can come out and take care of the heating problem before it worsens.
High Energy Bills
If you’ve noticed that your energy bills are higher than they normally are during the winter months, but there’s nothing wrong with your home—like no leaks or drafts—then it could be because of an issue with your heating system. If you aren’t sure what’s causing this problem, don’t wait until next month when the bill comes in even higher! Call now so we can come out and check things out for ourselves. So we can give you peace of mind about what might be happening inside your home!
Mold
Mold is another sign that your heating system might need some work done on it. The presence of mold usually indicates that moisture has collected somewhere in your ducts or vents, which can lead to serious problems like damaged insulation and increased energy usage over time due to corrosion damage on metal components inside the system itself (such as coils).
Poor Indoor Air Quality
If your home smells stale or musty, there’s a good chance that the air quality inside is poor—which can be caused by problems with the way your furnace works or by a buildup of dust and debris. If this happens, it could mean you need more frequent cleaning from a professional boiler heating system repair like Rellaire.
8 DIY Tips For Heating System Repair
Heating system repair is something that can happen to anyone. If you’re lucky, your heating system will fail to work at the most inopportune time, like during a blizzard or when you’re on vacation. But if you’re less lucky, your heating system will fail while it’s still wintertime.
If this happens to you, there are several things you can do to maintain your heating system on your own. Here are some DIY tips for heating system repair:
Check the Thermostat
A thermostat can be a great tool for controlling your home’s temperature, but if it’s not working properly, you could be wasting money on heating and cooling your home. If you’re not sure if your thermostat is working the right way, here are a couple of things to check:
- Is it set correctly?
- Are there any cracks or dents in the thermostat?
- Is the thermostat set at a higher temperature than usual?
Inspect the Air Filters
Air filters can get clogged with dust and other particles over time—and if you don’t replace them regularly, this can lead to reduced airflow and poor performance from your system. It’s important to inspect them regularly so that you know when it’s time for a change!
Check Your Ductwork For Leaks And Tears
Ductwork can become damaged over time from wear and tear—especially if pets or small children in your home play near them frequently! It’s important that you do periodic checks on all ductwork so that you know where there might be any issues that need fixing before they turn into major problems later down the road!
Check Power Supply
When you’re looking to fix your heating system, you first need to check the power supply. If the pilot light isn’t going off or the ignition isn’t working properly, that’s probably why your heating system isn’t working. You can also check to see if there’s any damage to your wires, which could also indicate a problem with your system.
Examine Pilot Light or Ignition
If you’ve got an old-school gas furnace, the pilot light may have gone out—or even worse, it could be out of fuel. Try turning on all of your lights to see if they work; if they do, try turning off your circuit breaker (or flipping off the switch if it’s a switch) and then turning on the circuit breaker again after some time. This may reset your pilot light so it will stay lit. If that doesn’t work, check under the hood of your furnace to see if there’s any gas leaking from the line going into it; if there is, call a professional HVAC repair expert.
Clear Air Vents and Registers
If you’re experiencing problems with your furnace or air conditioner, you should first check for air vents and registers. If there’s a blockage in one of these areas, it can cause your system to fail completely. Make sure that all vents are clear of debris, dirt, or other obstructions.
Bleed Radiators
If you have radiators in your home, make sure that they’re fully bled before attempting to repair other issues. Radiators must be bled when they are installed or repaired to prevent them from leaking water. If you don’t bleed the radiator after doing so, you run the risk of having a leaky radiator which will cause mold growth on walls and floors and leaks that may damage your home’s foundation.
Clean Heating System Components
The last thing to do is clean all the heating system components: the furnace filter (if there is one), air vents, fan blades, fins, air handler coils/blades/panels—anything that can collect dust or debris should be cleaned regularly. This will ensure that air is circulated adequately through these components and not blocked by dust or other debris. This will help keep air temperatures more consistent throughout your home so that rooms don’t feel cold or excessively hot at any given time.
DIY Vs. Professional Heating System Repair: Which One to Choose?
When it comes to your home, you want to make sure that everything is working properly. This includes your heating and cooling systems. When something goes wrong, knowing what to do next can be overwhelming.
Here’s a comparison chart highlighting various aspects of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) heating system repair vs. professional heating system repair:
| Aspects | DIY Heating System Repair | Professional Heating System Repair |
| Skill Level | Requires moderate to advanced knowledge of heating systems and repair techniques. | Professionals have specialized training and experience in heating system repair. |
| Cost | Generally cheaper as you don’t have to pay for professional services. You may only need to purchase parts and tools. | More expensive as you need to pay for professional services, including labor and expertise. |
| Time | Repair time can vary depending on your skill level and the complexity of the problem. May take longer due to learning curves. | Professionals are trained and equipped to diagnose and repair issues efficiently, saving time. |
| Safety | Potential safety risks involved, such as handling electrical components or working with gas lines. | Professionals follow safety protocols, minimizing risks and ensuring compliance with safety standards. |
| Quality of Repair | The outcome may vary depending on your skill level. Mistakes can lead to further damage or incomplete repairs. | Professionals have the expertise to provide high-quality repairs, ensuring the system’s proper functioning. |
| Warranty Coverage | Depends on the manufacturer’s warranty. DIY repairs may void the warranty in some cases. | Professional repairs often come with warranties, providing coverage for parts and labor. |
| Availability of Tools | You may need to purchase or rent specialized tools and equipment for specific repairs. | Professionals have access to a wide range of tools and equipment needed for various heating system repairs. |
| Complexity of Repairs | Limited to simple repairs and maintenance tasks. Complex issues may require professional intervention. | Professionals can handle complex repairs, including advanced diagnostics and system troubleshooting. |
| Convenience and Support | You have control over scheduling and can work at your own pace. Online resources and forums can provide guidance. | Professionals provide convenience, expertise, and support, minimizing hassle and ensuring a smooth process. |
Call Rellaire For The Best Heating System Repair Service In Lodi, CA!
Every day, we hear from people who are tired of their heating system not working properly. That’s why we’re here: to help you get your heating up and running again so you can enjoy the simple pleasure of a warm home.
At Rellaire, we offer a variety of heating and cooling services for homes, businesses, and commercial properties in Lodi, CA. We have been serving the Lodi community for over 20 years and know how important your home is to you. We take pride in providing our customers with the best possible experience when it comes to Heating and Cooling Systems Emergency Services in Lodi.
Rellaire offers all kinds of Heating and Air Conditioning services, including:
- Heating & Ventilating Systems
- Heating System Repairs And Replacements
- Gas Furnace Repair Service
- Boiler installation and replacement
- Ductless Heating System Repair
- Central Air Conditioning Repair
- 24*7 Heating and Air Conditioning Service
Our team of highly-trained HVAC experts will be there for you every step of the way: from diagnosing your problem to fixing it. Not only do we offer same-day service, but we also provide 24/7 emergency services.
Moreover, we’ll do everything we can to ensure that you’re taken care of—from answering all of your questions upfront so there are no surprises later on down the road to making sure you’ve got everything under control long before we finish up our work so there aren’t any surprises while we’re still on site either (like having heat back on by tomorrow morning).
If you need help with any kind of HVAC installation, repair, and replacement, please call us today at (815) 477-2600!