{"id":749,"date":"2019-03-25T11:00:05","date_gmt":"2019-03-25T15:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/?p=749"},"modified":"2026-09-19T23:07:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T03:07:26","slug":"heater-trouble-repair-replace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/heating-service\/heater-trouble-repair-replace\/","title":{"rendered":"Heater Trouble: When to Repair and When to Replace"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HeatingAre you worried about your heater breaking down? Perhaps it\u2019s aging, and you\u2019ve noticed a few distressing signs. It\u2019s important to know <\/em>the signs that something is amiss with your heating system, so you\u2019re not all of the sudden stuck with a completely broken down system when you need it the most.<\/p>\n

True, it\u2019s spring now, and temperatures are warming. But we\u2019d like you to get the most effective use from your heater as you can for the rest of the season, not to mention we don\u2019t want you to be stuck with a completely malfunctioning heater next fall when you need it. Keep reading to learn the signs that you may have a heater in need of repair, or in some cases in need of replacement.<\/p>\n

Signs Your Heater Needs Repair<\/h2>\n

The following signs indicate that yes, you probably are in need of heating repairs:<\/p>\n

You hear strange noises coming from the cabinet or vents: <\/strong>Sometimes, it can be hard to detect a heating system problem that\u2019s not necessarily getting in the way of the heater\u2019s functionality. So, an odd noise may be easy to dismiss or neglect for a while, but we\u2019d really advise against it. Noises can be a sign of a major issue. For instance, buzzing could be indicative of an electrical problem while a bubbling noise is likely a sign that you have a refrigerant leak.<\/p>\n

You spend too much money on heating your home: <\/strong>It\u2019s, of course, no surprise that your heating costs go up as the weather gets colder\u2014this means your heater is running longer, after all. But compare your bills to that which you were paying last year. Are they much higher? If they are, or you discover you\u2019re paying more than your neighbors, it\u2019s a sign that your heater isn\u2019t working as efficiently as it once did and is in need of repair (or possibly replacement, which we\u2019ll get to below!)<\/p>\n

You can\u2019t seem to get your thermostat up high enough: <\/strong>Does it seem like no matter how high you turn up your thermostat, it\u2019s still not warm enough. This is a problem\u2014and chances are, this problem has nothing to do with the thermostat itself. Your heater may be running nonstop to try to meet your preferred settings but has something preventing it from doing so, such as a duct leak or broken component. If your system\u2019s heating power isn\u2019t what it should be, it\u2019s time to give us a call.<\/p>\n

Signs It\u2019s Time to Replace Your Heater<\/h2>\n

Most heaters are designed to last 15 years or more. It depends on the make and model, in addition to how well cared for it is. If you\u2019re keeping up on your maintenance appointments each year, then it has the ability to last longer. But if yours is approaching 15-years and <\/em>you\u2019ve experienced any of the above-mentioned signs, it\u2019s likely time to consider an upgrade.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll also say, if you find yourself calling for repairs a few times a year for an aging heater, it\u2019s almost always going to make more financial sense to replace rather than pay for another repair. If you\u2019re unsure though, we\u2019re happy to do an inspection and help you make an educated decision.<\/p>\n

Fre<\/b>quently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

Question: How do I know if my heater needs repair?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Answer:<\/b> Strange noises, unusually high heating bills, or trouble keeping your home at the desired temperature can indicate that your heater needs attention. These problems may point to electrical issues, leaks, damaged components, or other conditions that are reducing the system\u2019s performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: Why is my heating bill suddenly higher than usual?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Answer:<\/b> A noticeable increase in heating costs can mean your system is running longer or working harder than it should to keep your home comfortable. Comparing current bills with previous years can help you identify whether declining heater efficiency may be contributing to the increase.<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: Why is my heater running but not warming my home enough?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Answer:<\/b> If your heater runs continuously but your home still feels cold, something may be preventing the system from delivering enough heat. Possible causes include a duct leak or a damaged component, so a professional inspection can help determine what needs to be repaired.<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: When should I replace my heater instead of repairing it?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Answer:<\/b> Replacement may be worth considering when your heater is approaching 15 years old and has started showing recurring performance problems. An older system that needs repairs several times a year may also cost more to keep fixing than replacing with a newer unit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: How long does a home heating system typically last?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Answer:<\/b> Many heaters are designed to operate for 15 years or longer, although their actual lifespan depends on the make, model, usage, and overall care. Keeping up with regular maintenance can help the system operate reliably and may allow it to last longer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: Do strange noises from my heater mean something is wrong?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Answer:<\/b> New or unusual noises from the heater cabinet or vents should not be ignored, even if the system still seems to be working. Buzzing may indicate an electrical issue, while other unusual sounds can signal problems that should be professionally inspected.<\/span><\/p>\n

For professional heating repair<\/a> services in Union, NJ and beyond, contact Max Sr & Paul Schoenwalder Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, A Corp.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Most heaters are designed to last 15 years or more. It depends on the make and model, in addition to how well cared for it is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[76],"tags":[105,88],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=749"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2125,"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749\/revisions\/2125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schoenwaldercorp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}