Now that winter is nearly upon us, homeowners in the greater Jacksonville, Florida region and beyond will be reaching out to adjust their thermostat to crank up the heat inside.

Coming home from a long day at work or school is so much more pleasant when you know that it will be warm and cozy inside. Failure to have the system inspected, cleaned and maintained periodically could result in your heater malfunctioning or even breaking down completely. That's the last thing you want to have happen when the temperature drops this winter. Read on to learn how to spot common heating repair problems so you can hopefully nip them in the bud.

Air Flow Problems

A clear sign of a problem with the heater is when one part of the home is cooler than another. If you have already checked that the vent to the cooler room is open and unobstructed, it's time to call for help from HVAC professionals.

Basic Mechanical Wear and Tear

All HVAC components are subject to routine wear and tear during the course of normal operation. Your heater is no exception. Unusual sounds or smells are signs of basic mechanical issues. To get a better understanding of the state of the heater components, a professional HVAC technician should be brought in as soon as possible.

Clogged or Dirty Air Filters

It's easy to forget to check your air filters, especially when you are occupied with work and family matters. A common reason for homeowners calling for help on a heating problem is dirty or clogged filters.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that homeowners change their filter every month, especially when it is used more often in winter. This helps you avoid the system failing prematurely because of overwork.

Ignition or Pilot Control Issues

Age and wear and tear can lead to problems with the ignition for your heating system, as well as making it harder to control the pilot flame.

You don't want to treat the ignition cavalierly. The system may be running very inefficiently and there is also a danger of gas fumes leaking into the home instead of being used as fuel to heat your dwelling.

Insufficient Heating

If the entire house does not seem to get as warm as it did in years past, this is a warning sign you need to pay attention to. The heater will likely be working much harder than it is designed for, trying to keep up with your demand for a higher temperature.

This wastes money as well as potentially leading to premature equipment breakdown.

Malfunctioning Thermostats

If the thermostat is unreliable, you may find the system activating when you do not need any more heat, or failing to operate even though it is getting so chilly that each person in your house has loud, chattering teeth.

If your thermostat needs repair or replacement, it would be prudent to get a "smart" thermostat that you can program as well as control via the Internet.

Not Scheduling Preventative Maintenance

As the weather cools in Jacksonville, FL this winter, the team at David Gray Heating & Air is standing by to assist homeowners with all their heating system needs.

Our professionally trained HVAC experts recommend that you arrange for regular inspections and maintenance each year to make sure the heating and AC stays in top condition. This way, you'll catch problems before they grow worse and more difficult (and expensive) to fix down the line.

For details on our heating repair and inspection services or to set an appointment, please contact David Gray Heating & Air today.