Winters here in Nassau and Suffolk counties always result in an uptick in home heating usage and, unfortunately, costs. And with more and more people working remotely at least some of the time, home heating usage may be going up even further.
An additional cost beyond your heating bills that comes with frequent use of HVAC systems is wear and tear on the units themselves. One of the most important components involved in a heating system is a heat exchanger, which is found in most furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps. Heat exchangers allow heat to pass between liquid or gas without direct contact, allowing HVAC units to properly disperse the heat created through gas, oil, or electricity.
Wear and tear on your heating unit will catch up to it and could lead to problems, including the unit’s heat exchanger breaking. But how do you know if your heat exchanger is broken?
How Do I Know If My Heat Exchanger Is Broken?
There are multiple signs to look out for to see if the heat exchanger on your HVAC unit has broken. If the heat exchanger is clearly visible, you can look to see if there may already be visible corrosion and cracks on it. Strange and unusual odors detected after turning on your heating unit are likely another sign that your heat exchanger is not working properly.
Detectable odors aren’t the only way to discover a problem; it’s possible a faulty heat exchanger could leak carbon monoxide into your home. Whether the heat exchangers in your HVAC units are working well or not, you should always have a working carbon monoxide detector to protect your home.
What Causes HVAC Fires?
One of the most common causes of an HVAC fire is the buildup of dirt or soot around the motor of a particular unit. This can cause an HVAC unit to overheat, resulting in a fire.
Another problem that can lead to an HVAC-related fire is faulty wiring. It’s for these reasons and many others that you need to have regular, reliable HVAC maintenance checkups. It’s not only a way to help keep you and your family safe but can help prevent future outages and even save you money in energy costs.
Express C.O.D Can Help Keep Your Home Safe and Warm This Winter
While winters on Long Island have been a little light on snow the past few years, we’re still dealing with sub-40-degree temperatures through most of the season, which means you don’t want your family stuck with faulty home heating waiting anxiously for professional assistance. That’s why Tragar Home Services prides itself on having the fastest emergency response time in the area at just two hours. Then, at Express C.O.D, we offer discounted heating oil with multiple ways to pay, including C.O.D. We can get you on a delivery schedule where you’ll never worry about running out of heating oil again. Contact us online or call us directly at (516) 206-3805 for peace of mind this winter season.
