Sterling Heating Services
Heating Expertise in Fairfax & Loudoun Counties
Winters in Virginia can be particularly cold, so having a great heating system is essential to your comfort. At Cardinal Heating & Cooling, we service all major brands of heating equipment. From replacing an outdated heating system to repairing your existing heater, our Sterling heating technicians can do it all. You can rely on our experienced and professional team to do everything required to keep your family warm and comfortable.
Contact Cardinal Heating & Cooling today at 703.755.0680 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with a friendly member of our Loudoun County heating team!
Heating System's We Service
When we first show up to respond to a service call, our priority is to get to the bottom of the problem. We strive to find a solution quickly while ensuring it's the most cost-effective option. Regardless of whether your heating system is brand new and needs to be maintained or whether you have a heating system that is decades old, we are here to help.
Our team is professionally trained and experienced to handle all types of heating equipment, including:
- Heat pumps
- Central heating
- Hybrid heating systems
- Zoned heating systems
- Electric and gas furnaces
- Ductless systems
Why Is My Heater Blowing Cold Air?
Several issues could be causing your heater or furnace to blow cold air. Some can be fixed on your own, but others require professional assistance. Before calling in the pros, make sure you check:
- The thermostat's fan settings. If your fan is set to ON, the blower will run 24/7, even when your heater isn't running. If your thermostat has an AUTO setting, set it to that so it will only run when the heater is on.
- The air filter. If your heater's filter gets too dirty, it can block airflow over the unit's heat exchanger and cause it to overheat. This will trip a switch that causes the furnace's burners to shut down to protect the heat exchanger from cracking. Replacing the dirty filter should fix this problem.
- The pilot light. Depending on how old your heater is, it may have a pilot light that lights the unit's heaters. If it's out, you'll need to relight it by following the directions in the manual.
- The condensate line. If you notice water pooling around your heater, then odds are your condensate line is blocked, causing the overflow kill switch to shut down the unit. The most common types of blockages are caused by mold, dirt, dust, and ice. While it's possible to clear out many of these blockages on your own, there's the chance that you have a broken condensate pipe or an underlying issue that needs to be inspected and fixed by a professional HVAC technician.
Should I Repair or Replace My Heater?
Knowing when your heater is past saving – or at the very least, saving within a reasonable budget – can be a difficult step to take. Replacing a heater has a high initial cost compared to repairs, but it's essential to look past the short term towards the potential savings of not needing to call for repairs every couple of months you're relying on it to keep your home warm. However, the line between repairing and replacing your heater can be thin. Our team of experienced technicians will work with you to ensure you're making the right decision for your home and your wallet.
Things to look for when deciding whether you are going to repair or replace your heater include:
- The age of your heater: Typical heaters can last 15-30 years, depending on their maintenance schedule. Once your heater reaches 15 years, it's time to start at least considering a replacement.
- The repair cost: If the necessary repairs cost at least half of what a brand-new unit would cost, it's the most financially sound decision to replace it entirely.
- A steady increase in your heating bill: If you've noticed that your heating bill has consistently gone up over the past few winters without a noticeable change in your heating habits, odds are your heater is to blame. As it wears down over time, it will become less efficient and cost more energy and money.
- Your heater is emitting carbon monoxide: If you recognize that your heater is emitting this poisonous gas, you need to replace it immediately. A cracked combustion chamber likely causes this. While it is an odorless and colorless gas, there are sure signs beyond your carbon monoxide detector that will indicate the leak, including a yellow rather than blue burner flame, a lack of an upward draft in your chimney, rust forming on the pipes, excessive moisture buildup inside your home; soot streaks around your heater; general feelings of nausea, headaches, disorientation, etc.
Schedule Your Heating Service in Sterling Today
Maintenance is essential to keep your heating system running all winter long and to help avoid problems in the future. At Cardinal Heating & Cooling, we can give you peace of mind that your system is there to keep you warm day and night through our maintenance agreement. Sign up now and get not only annual heating inspections and tune-ups but additional benefits as well.
Contact Cardinal Heating & Cooling to schedule your Sterling heating service today!
How Can We Help You?
“It's good to have a service one can trust for a system as important as an HVAC unit.” - Kathy B.