When to Service your Gas Heater
While gas heaters are generally more expensive than electric heaters, they are generally more energy efficient and can burn for longer periods of time. For example, if you turn on your electric heater for three hours at a time, but then let it run continuously for five days straight, it would cost about $3 per day. However, if you had a gas heater running for up to nine hours per day in that same period of time then your total annual heating bill would be significantly less than the one from your electric heater—about $500 less.
- Annual service: Most manufacturers recommend that gas heaters be serviced annually. This service will include a thorough cleaning of the unit and testing of all components including the pilot, thermocouple and flame sensor. In addition, your technician will check for any leaks that may be present in your heater’s system as well as its air ducts.
- After power outage: If you’ve had a prolonged power outage in your area, it’s wise to contact an HVAC technician who can inspect your gas heating system to ensure it’s still operating safely after the event has ended.
- Flooding: Leaking water into an electrical circuit panel can cause serious damage even when power is cut off immediately after flooding occurs—especially if there are loose connections or corroded wiring inside the panel itself (which could lead to short circuits). A qualified HVAC professional should always inspect these systems after flooding occurs so they can make repairs before any further damage takes place.
How to Get Your Gas Heater Serviced
You can get your gas heater serviced by calling a qualified gas plumber. You need to ensure that the plumber is licensed, insured and qualified to do the job. This will ensure that they are reliable and trustworthy. You should also make sure they are available and able to come when you need them. Likely, getting an emergency plumber should be the ideal task here.
How to Identify A Problem
If you suspect that your gas system or appliances have been damaged, there are several ways to identify the location of leaks. To find out if there is a leak in your water heater, for example, turn off the circuit breaker and wait 30 minutes before ventilating any enclosed areas. If there is still no smell of natural gas after 30 minutes, then you can safely assume there is not a leak.
How to Prevent Problems
The best way to prevent problems is to take care of your heater. Here are some tips:
- Keep it out of the bathroom
- Don’t leave it running when you’re away from home—and definitely don’t turn it on without checking first.
Generally Worth The Money
Gas heaters are generally worth every money you put into them. The best thing, though, is to ensure you maintain them before it gets to a point where repairs are needed. Repairing the gas heater can be a bit expensive in most cases, but is worth what you pay for it.
