How To Service A Gas Heater

Gas Heater Servicing

If your gas heater is not working correctly, an immediate checkup is needed. A malfunctioning appliance can lead to sudden failure, high running costs, and harm your health. When you note that the heater in your business or home is not working right, it is advisable to have it serviced.

Servicing ensures that your gas space heater or water heater is in perfect condition at all times. With the vital role the appliance plays, you should make the servicing a must-do task. This article offers you a comprehensive guide on how to service a gas heater to enhance its durability and optimal performance.

What Is Involved In Gas Heater Servicing?

Servicing your gas heater involves checking that all the components are working correctly. It consists inspecting and testing parts such as the heat exchanger, thermostat, flue, gas pressure, and burner.

One of the critical parts of the servicing process involves a carbon monoxide (CO) check. This is necessary because carbon monoxide is highly toxic and can be emitted if your gas heater is not serviced. In addition, regular servicing improves its efficiency and its durability. It is recommended that you service your gas heater at least once a year. A fully licensed plumber should do the job.

Signs You Need To Service Your Gas Heater

It should be a priority to keep your gas heater in the proper condition at all times. You do not want to be stuck without warmth in your house or business during the winter. A neglected heater is also a health hazard to your family's health. The key to an exemplary gas appliance service is detecting when your heater needs servicing.

Below are eight common signs to perform a gas heater repair:

Weird Smells

Your gas heater can produce a pungent smell when you install it. However, the appliance loses its smell with time. Thus, if you notice that the pungent smell lingers a long time, it is time to have the heater serviced. For instance, strong smells from the exhaust can indicate poor combustion. You cannot smell carbon monoxide, but you can smell the Aldehydes, a product of poor combustion.

Gas Leakage

A gas leak is another obvious sign you need gas heater servicing. It is easy to detect a gas leak because of the smell. Note that a gas leak is dangerous, so you need to contact your plumber immediately to come and do the necessary servicing.

When you detect a gas leak, you need to turn off the heater because the gas is highly flammable. A single spark can cause severe damage to your entire property and harm its occupants. An extra precaution for you is to leave your office or house until the problem is solved.

Problems Starting

Like all other appliances in your home, the older your gas furnace gets, the more service and maintenance it will need. In this case, you will find it hard to turn the heater on and keep it running in the long run. If you find out that it is taking several attempts to start the appliance or you need to restart it several times in a day, you should have it serviced.

The problem may be a result of simple issues such as dirty indoor AC coils, filters, and secondary heat exchangers. It can also be due to a dirty flame sensor that makes it work intermittently.

Uneven Heating

If you find that your gas heater performs poorly in heating your entire space, you need to have it serviced. When the appliance is working accordingly, you should not get hot and cold patches around your office or house. It should provide even heating. However, it is worth noting that different parts of your property will have different temperatures.

For instance, the upstairs might be warmer than the basement. But, if you find a lot of difference in temperatures in the same area, that is a sign to do gas heater repair.

High Energy Bills

When you experience a drastic increase in your energy bills, this may be a sign that your gas heater is inefficient and requires servicing. You need to have it checked properly to determine the cause of the inefficiency. This helps you to save on your energy costs.

CO Alarm Alerts

If you find your carbon monoxide alarm going off, it shows there is a serious issue you need to address before the leak can affect your health. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas. A crack in the heat exchanger in your heater can leak gas into your space. Note that the gas is odourless and colourless, so the only way to detect it is through the alarm. If the alarm starts to sound, you should contact your plumber immediately to help.

Strange Sounds

A fully functional gas heater maintains a consistent whirring sound. Thus, if you start to hear strange noises such as rattles, hums, groans, and others, it shows there is an issue with your heating system. You need to check it to detect the cause of the noise and ensure that your heater is not prone to severe damage.

Water Leaks

If you find water next to your heater, this shows that you have a leak. The water leak may be a result of condensation. There may be a clogged condensation drain or a break in the condensation line could cause it. Other water leak causes may be an issue with the humidifier or a clog in the internal drain system.

How To Service Your Gas Heater

Servicing a gas heater is not as complicated as you probably think. The process involves simple tasks that ensure that your system is in suitable condition and works efficiently. Even if your heater seems to work at optimal condition, you need to service it every year.

Like most of your other household appliances, your gas heater has a lifespan of about fifteen years, which highly depends on the way you service it. Here are the various ways to do the servicing:

Understand Your Heating System

To perform high quality gas heater servicing, you should, first of all, understand the system. The best way to do this is to check the manual. This helps you understand the different components and how they work. The manual also allows you to detect when there is an issue that needs instant repairs.

Work Under Safe Conditions

Note that your gas appliance can strike anytime; thus, you must observe all the necessary safety measures. Before you can begin the servicing, you should turn it off first. Ensure that the power system and all the circuits connecting to the heater are off.

In addition, before you can start to clean it, check for gas leaks because they can cause severe accidents. If you find leaks, ask your plumber to fix the issue. Ensure that you stay away from it until the problem is resolved.

Clean the Filters

The filter system is a critical part of a gas heater. The system ensures that dirt does not enter the heater. It is recommended that you clean or replace the filters depending on how you use the system. This is necessary because it traps and filters dirt, dust, and other debris. During the servicing process, check the filters and find out if they are dirty. If the filters are clogged, consider replacing them. It is necessary to replace the air filters as a step to prevent your appliance from malfunctioning.

Check the Thermostat

If you are setting the thermostat and still feel uncomfortable in your room, then it shows there is an issue. This is explicitly the case if it has been working well for several years. In this case, your thermostat may have stopped working and must be replaced. Check it to ensure it is in the proper condition and replace it when necessary.

Clean the Blower

As you clean the filter system, the blower assembly should be next. It is situated right after the air filter. The little dirt, dust, and debris that goes through the air filters go to the blower. You need to clean the pulleys, blowers, and belts to remove the accumulated dirt. Remove all the panels covering the filter to reach the blower assembly. As you clean it, use a damp cloth.

Fix the Furnace Ducts

Heater ducts are susceptible to damage, especially if you are using the forced air furnace. As a result, you need to clean the ducts regularly with a high-powered vacuum cleaner. Once you are done, cover the ducts to ensure that air does not leak into the system.

Clean the Vents

A gas heating system features a venting system. The ventilation blocks at times because of the buildup of debris and dust. Blocked ventilation can cause several hazards to the users. With a large brush, make sure you clean the vents. Start by removing the vent cover and cleaning it's inside with a vacuum cleaner.

Fan Inspection

To avoid issues with your heater, you need to perform a thorough inspection. The inspection saves you the costs you would otherwise incur as you do repairs. In addition to repairs, you should also check the fan components. The inspection shows whether there is dust and other components on it. Do the inspection annually.

Inspect the Pressure Release Valve

You need to do an annual check to determine if the temperature and pressure release valve is working in the right way. Do this by releasing the pressure several times. This can be a significant problem if the heater leaks. Drain some water from the water geyser and then remove the discharge tube. You can now replace the valve, and the issue is sorted out.

Install Inlet and Outlet Pipes

If your heater has plastic inlet and outlet pipes, you should replace them with metallic ones since they are more resistant to heat. You should also check out the joints frequently. If you find whitish deposits of dust from water or signs of corrosion, you should replace the outlet and inlet pipes.

Benefits Of Servicing Your Gas Heater Regularly

Regular gas heater servicing offers the following benefits:

Saves Energy

With regular servicing of your system, you save a lot of energy. The system will work smoothly and efficiently. This also helps you save on the cost of the gas you use to heat your space.

Reduces Repair Costs

If your Rinnai gas heater works hard to heat your space, it will get damaged faster. Its components will wear and tear, leading to regular breakdowns. These issues are reduced early with regular servicing before they can escalate into major and costly problems. You save a lot of money in the long run.

Enhances Durability

Note that a gas heater is an expensive appliance, so you need to protect it. Servicing the system makes it last longer and thus offers you value for your investment and allows you to enjoy using it for a long time.

Improves Safety

Your gas appliance is made to run as safely and efficiently as possible. However, to work in these standards, annual servicing is critical. It ensures no carbon monoxide leaks, thus guaranteeing your and your family's safety and giving you peace of mind.

Need The Best Gas Heater Servicing?

To get the best gas heater service, you need to work with the best plumbing company. A good company can help do regular servicing and ensure that your heating appliance is always working optimally. They can also advise you on the best way to take care of your heater and use it in the right way to get the best use from it for many years. In addition, they also help do the right installation of the appliance to enhance its performance.