5 Common Gas Heater Problems

There are some years when winter arrives early in Australia. Sometimes it can even be a long and brutal cold season. And when things go wrong with our heaters, homes turn from being warm and cozy to frigid. Unfortunately, winter often arrives fast, leaving most homeowners with limited time to complete their winter preparations and gas heater servicing.

While you can’t reasonably predict when gas heater problems will arise, there are common telltale signs that can warn you of possible issues. You need to address these issues early – before you end up needing to replace the entire unit. Here are the common gas heater problems that will indicate that your heater needs maintenance to keep your home warm all winter long.

1) Your Heater Not Turning on Automatically

When your gas heater is working well, the furnace turns on automatically, producing heat when it gets the signal from the thermostat. One of the primary reasons why this could be happening is that your heater has a clogged filter.

Dirty air filters tend to clog up; hence reducing the airflow in your gas heater. This makes your heater work harder to circulate warm air in your space. In some cases, the clogged filter may even damage the limit switch responsible for controlling the fan. You may notice that your home is getting a bit chilly. But like with many other heater problems, this could be a quick fix, or a sign of a bigger problem.

2) Gas Leakage

If you can smell some gas odor in your home, this might be a sign that there could be an issue with your heater. If you experience gas leakage, always turn off your gas heater immediately. When that’s done, open the heater and find the gas supply valve, then turn it off. Don’t light any matches. Also, make sure you get in touch with a trained technician to handle the issue as soon as possible.

3) Malfunctioning Thermostat

Thermostat issues are common and often relate to electrical problems like loose wiring, blown fuses, or tripped circuit breakers. If your thermostat is ineffective, this is a surefire sign that your heater has issues. Your thermostat should communicate to the heater how much heat needs to be produced. If the amount indicated on the thermostat doesn’t match the heat produced by the furnace, you definitely know something is up with your gas heater. Therefore, you need to get gas heater service from a professional.

4) Frequent Cycling

Cycling on and off repeatedly, or “short cycling” is a common and required activity in extremely cold weather to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. If this is not the case, it could be a symptom of a furnace problem, a dirty filter, a clogged exhaust vent, or a malfunctioning thermostat.

5) Unusual Noises

Sometimes you may hear some odd sounds coming from your gas heater. Those rumbling, squeaking, and rattling sounds aren’t normal. Such sounds could be indicators of mechanical problems, a clogged burner, or a reduction in the airflow. However, it may be hard to diagnose the precise cause of the noises. That is why you need to consult with a technician to determine and solve the issue.

Do You Need a Gas Heater Service?

If you are having trouble with your gas heater, you need to engage a professional from the QuickAir team. We are the best in the market, with quick, reliable, and affordable services. Our team looks forward to assisting you with all your gas heater repair, contact us today at 1300 730 896.