Solving the Top 5 Heater Problems
A heater problem during the winter can be a huge headache. In addition to poor home comfort, you could be confronted with expensive repair bills. It’s helpful to know that there are some troubleshooting steps that you can take before calling a contractor. In fact, top heating equipment manufacturers may include such steps in your owners’ literature to ensure that you don’t waste money on simple problems. When furnace troubleshooting steps don’t resolve your problem, however, it’s important to call for heating repair so that your issue can be remedied promptly and safely.
Top Issues and Potential Causes
Most heating repair calls are made in response to noticeable symptoms occurring when the equipment is in use. The top five of these problems include:
1. Poor airflow – a weak supply of air in some or all parts of the home could reflect blockages in vents, over vents or at the filter. A clean filter is important for proper system operation. Keep your vents clear as well. You could also face issues like leaky ducts if the airstream is weak. If your vents are clear and your filter clean, then you should contact your heating service.
2. No heat – your system may turn on but fail to deliver hot air. You may find that cold or cool air is moving into your home instead. This could be the result of a lull in system activity, an issue that might resolve in a few minutes. It could also be related to incorrect thermostat settings, making it important to verify settings and battery strength. Ongoing delivery of cold air could result from problems with heat exchangers, sensors or other internal components. A technician will need to inspect the system.
3. Not enough heat – similar to a lack of heat, you could be dealing with insufficient heating because of thermostat issues, sensor failure or other electronic and mechanical components. Check your thermostat settings and batteries before calling for heating repair.
4. Constant cycling – airflow can affect the cycling of your system, making a check of vents and air filters important. Failure of sensors, safety systems and other system parts could also be at fault.
5. Furnace won’t turn on – after checking your thermostat and filter, you will need to check for fuel and electricity issues. Verify that the gas supply hasn’t been disrupted. Make sure that switches aren’t off and that plugs haven’t been pulled. You can reset the system by lowering the thermostat settings and disconnecting electricity to your furnace for several minutes. Restore power and raise the thermostat setting to see if your effort has solved the problem.
Prompt Service Matters
If your furnace troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue and restore heat, Riley Heating & Air Conditioning can provide prompt heating service. Emergency service is available for problems during the winter months. We also offer preventive tune-ups prior to heating season to head off potential emergencies and inconveniences during seasonal usage. Contact our office for an appointment.