Find an experienced heater maintenance contractor near you

Start by adjusting the thermostat to 120 degrees and maintaining 2 feet of clearance around your water heater (unless your manual says otherwise). Make sure to drain 1/4 of the tank a few times a year and test the temperature-pressure relief valve annually. To ensure you’re doing all these steps correctly, consult with a local water heater repair specialist.

A heater usually stops working because the heating system is dirty. Dirty blowers, air filters, and flame sensors can cause your heater to stop working. Other common issues include malfunctioning thermostats, dead blower capacitors, or low refrigerant levels (if you use a heat pump). That’s why it’s important to get regular heating system maintenance to check on these issues and fix them before they worsen.

It depends on the kind of heater you have. Replacing a furnace can take only a couple of hours, but working with existing ductwork or changing the energy source can take upwards of 3 days! You can ask a trusted electrician about the time it’ll take to fix your broken heater. 

Assuming you maintain your heater regularly, it can last around 10-20 years. When you hit the 15-year mark, it’s time to consider upgrading to the latest energy-efficient furnace or radiator models. You should also check your air duct system and all the other components. 

A heater blowing cold air could have a dirty flame sensor. The dirt affects the gas burner, causing the air to go cold. Blocked air vents are also a common cause of heaters blowing cold air. Make sure the vents aren’t clogged or blocked by furniture or drapes. Lastly, check your air filter. You may need to clean or replace the air filter to keep your furnace running smoothly. 

Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to replace a heater core. In fact, replacing your car’s heater core can take 1-12 hours and can cost quite a bit in terms of parts and labor. If you want to save yourself from the headache of figuring out the process yourself, book a nearby auto mechanic via Airtasker instead!