How Can You Tell When a Gas Heater Needs Urgently Replacing?

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When you first notice your gas heater isn’t working as efficiently as it used to, it might be because the heater has started to make strange sounds – like a bang, pop or rattle – or your usual energy bill could be noticeably higher at the end of the month. These are typical signs that a repair needs to be carried out, but how can you tell when a gas heater needs urgently replacing?

Gas can be a volatile fuel, and it’s important to be vigilant when using your gas heater. At Matthews Plumbing and Gasfitting, we have worked as emergency gas fitters throughout Auckland for many years. As such, we know that the emergency signs to look out for include:

  1. Pilot Light Issues – A heater’s pilot light is the small flame that ignites the gas burner. An urgent heater replacement is required if your pilot light frequently goes out or doesn’t stay lit, and is a different colour than usual. This indicates a problem with the thermocouple, gas pressure or ventilation – all of which could become dangerous if left unattended to.

  2. Soot Buildup – Soot buildup around your gas heater should not be happening unless there are emergent issues with the combustion or ventilation. This not only affects the efficiency of your gas heater – and your energy bill as a result – but poses safety risks. When this soot buildup is noticeable or extreme, there’s no other option than replacement.

  3. Smell of Gas – When you start to smell gas around your heater, replacing it becomes an emergency situation. You must call an emergency gas fitter as quickly as possible, but only after you have evacuated the premises and called the emergency services. Gas leaks can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, blisters and breathing issues. Worryingly, your heater may even explode.

  4. A Yellow Flame – A gas heater’s flame should always burn blue. If the flame is yellow or flickering, this suggests incomplete combustion has occurred, which can produce carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poses health risks that could be fatal, so a gas heater with flickering flames should be inspected and replaced as soon as possible.

As skilled emergency gas fitters operating across Auckland, we provide a 24/7 emergency service that you can rely on. When your gas heater starts to break down, there’s no time to waste – contact us for your urgent replacement as soon as possible.