Metro Atlanta’s Trusted Heating Contractor
Even though Georgia is known as a warm place, its winters can still get pretty cold, especially without a functioning heater. Would you know what to do if yours failed in the middle of a February storm? Whether it’s a furnace or heat pump, first take a deep breath: there’s no need to panic. Bartlett provides trusted heating repair in Marietta, GA, and we’re licensed, insured, and have been here for you since 1989.
Bartlett offers prompt, reliable heating repair to locals throughout Metro Atlanta. Our HVAC company has been helping people in Marietta fix their broken heaters since our business started in 1989. Tell us about your heating problem, and we’ll send a trained HVAC technician to tackle it. Known for providing prompt, reliable service, we’ve become the go-to source for locals with heating system problems.
Symptoms of a Heater in Need of Repair
Because extreme cold snaps are less common in Marietta, a lot of our clients aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of heater operation. They often miss smaller signs of heating issues, meaning we only get called when there’s a major, expensive problem requiring heater repair in Marietta, GA.
To make fixing your heating problems easier, we advise residents of Marietta to stay on the lookout for:
- Cold Spots: Is your thermostat cranked up to 75 degrees, but your home still feels like an icebox? Is your heater continually turning on and off without maintaining the temperature? This is a common sign that you may need heating repair services in Marietta, GA. Before calling us, however, double-check that the filter is clean and free of clogging dust.
- A Yellow Pilot Light: If your heater has a pilot light, is it burning blue or yellow? If it’s the latter, you need to leave your home immediately. This is an indicator that your heater is producing excess carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can cause death. Before calling us, reach out to your gas company so they can turn off the line and check for leaks. After that, dial us to schedule your emergency heater repair in Marietta, GA.
- Weird Smells: Note that we’re not referring to the musty odor you get when you turn your unit on for the first time in the season. This odor is normal and results from your unit burning off all the dust that accumulated in the off-season. If you notice an odor that refuses to go away, however, it’s time to call a local HVAC expert. To lower this dust level, consider scheduling heater or furnace maintenance.
- Odd Noises: A heater on its last leg will start making strange noises. This can be the whining of a worn belt, the squeaking of a poorly lubricated nut, or the creaking of an unstable chassis. Though these sounds may indicate little, they can also be a sign of something that needs attention. Since it’s better to be safe than sorry, we advise you to reach out to us the first time you notice a problem.
- Increased Energy Costs: One of the easiest signs you need heater repair services in Marietta, GA, is skyrocketing utility costs. If your gas or power bill increases without an obvious explanation, it may be due to a loss of heating efficiency. Fortunately, repairing your heater is often enough to return energy use to normal levels. In some cases, however, we might recommend total heating system replacement.
- Frequent Cycling: Does your heater rarely turn off? Have you noticed it popping on and off on a fairly regular basis? If either of these is the case, your heater might be in need of repair. While this doesn’t necessitate an emergency, long-term short cycling can drastically shorten your heater’s lifespan. To fix short-cycling in Atlanta or Marietta, give our HVAC technicians a call for heater repair in Marietta, GA.
If you notice any of the above problems, it’s time to call a local heating company. Our Marietta heater repair experts are here to put you back in comfort again.
The Main Reasons Good Heaters Go Bad
A proper understanding of what heater parts are likely to fail can better equip you to deal with an HVAC emergency and make it easier for you to communicate your heating problem in a clear, comprehensive way.
Our 37 years of experience providing heating repair in Marietta, GA have taught us that the issue is often:
- Bad Thermostats: Your thermostat tells your heater when to turn on and off. If it’s not working right, you’ll have a hard time staying warm. To see if this issue is at the root of your problems, try swapping out the thermostat’s batteries. Also, make sure that it’s on and set to HEAT and that the run method selected is AUTO.
- Ignition Failure: Pilot lights can go out and refuse to light. When this happens, your heater loses the ability to warm the air, leaving you chilled. The main cause of pilot light issues is grime buildup and wear around the burner. If you can’t get it to reignite, reach out to our HVAC company for heater repair services in Marietta, GA.
- The Exhaust Blower: The heater’s exhaust blower takes your unit’s combustible output and vents it outside. When this system fails, your unit will cycle on and off before shutting down. Regular heater maintenance can keep the exhaust blower running as intended, preventing unintended shutdowns.
- Blower Motor Failure: Your heater’s blower motor is what pushes the air through your ducts and out your vent. When it fails, even the most efficient unit won’t be able to heat or cool your home. Typical causes of failure include clogging and overheating. Having your ducts cleaned regularly can take the strain off the blower motor and allow it to run effectively, staving off the need for heater repair services in Marietta, GA.
- Bad Heat Exchanger: Your heat exchanger is one of the most vital components of your heating system. It’s responsible for keeping combustion gases separate from the warmed air circulated throughout your home. When this part of your heater fails, carbon monoxide can enter your air supply. Replacing a heat exchanger can be cost-prohibitive. We often recommend replacing your heater instead, especially if the cause of failure is short-cycling because you have too large of a heater installed for your square footage.
Luckily, no matter the size of the issue, our Marietta HVAC technicians have likely seen it before. Our well-equipped trucks allow us to fix most common heater issues on our first visit. That means less time spent layering jackets and a faster return to comfort at home.
Frequently Asked Heater Repair Questions
Why does my heater smell like burning plastic instead of the normal “dusty” startup smell?
That typical dusty smell when first firing up your heater for the season is normal, usually pointing to accumulated dust burning off your heat exchanger. A burning plastic smell is a very different situation and shouldn’t be written off. It’s often a sign that a component like a blower motor, capacitor or a section of wiring insulation is overheating, which happens when a motor is struggling, a part is failing or debris has come into contact with an electrical component.
If you notice this smell, turn off your heater at the thermostat and shut off power at the breaker, then call us for potential heating repair in Marietta, GA. Running the unit any longer than necessary raises the risk of an electrical short or, in rare cases, a fire.
Can Cobb County’s freeze-thaw temperature swings damage a furnace’s heat exchanger over time?
Indirectly, yes, that typical cycle of freezing and thawing does damage a heat exchanger (the actual component used to transfer heat). Marietta winters typically blow in cold nights that fall within low-to-mid 30s range, before swinging back to milder temps during the afternoons. That day-to-night see-sawing means your furnace cycles on and off more often to keep up, and it’s that repeated on/off cycling (not the actual outdoor cold itself) that stresses the heat exchanger.
After years of these cycles, the expansion and contraction of the metal creates small cracks, especially if the furnace is oversized for your home, has restricted airflow or runs with a dirty filter.
Trust Bartlett Heating & Cooling With Your Heater Repair in Marietta
When you need heating repair services in Marietta, GA, replacement, or any other heating service, trust the experts at Bartlett! As our long list of happy customers shows, many of your neighbors already do! With years of experience helping people in the Marietta area stay comfortable, we have the know-how to get the job done. No matter what you need, our company has clear services and procedures in place to ensure consistency and an accurate diagnosis.
In other words, when it comes to heater repair in Marietta, you can always count on Bartlett Heating & Cooling. Contact us to schedule your heating service.
