Heating System Repair Tips
A heating system that isn’t working can be an intimidating situation, but sometimes the solution can be simple enough that you can fix it by yourself. Here are some heating repair tips if yours is on the fritz.
Replace the Filter
If your heating system isn’t working, don’t automatically assume the worst; there’s a good chance the solution is as easy as replacing the filter. Before you do anything else, check that your filter doesn’t need to be switched out. This is the most common (and easiest) fix, and can end up saving you a phone call to a heating repair company. Though your heating system’s filter can be easy to forget about, if a dirty filter is left alone it can cause significant damage to your system. They’re the number 1 cause of HVAC system failure. They cause strain to your fan motor, system overheating or freezing, consummation of excessive energy, and your energy bill to skyrocket. Luckily, it’s a simple to replace a filter. Take out the old filter. If when you hold it up to a light you can’t see it, it’s time to replace it. If it’s a reusable filter, you can clean it and reinsert it, but if it’s disposable throw it away and replace it with a new one. Filters should be inspected every one to three months, more frequently if you have children or pets that generate a lot of dust.
Check the Pilot Light
If you have a gas system, the cause of your heating problems could be because the pilot light has gone out. It usually goes out because of a strong draft, a malfunctioning thermocouple, dirt buildup, or an inadequately burning flame. This can be dangerous if your light continuously goes out. Gas can begin to leak out and cause a fire or, in the worst case scenario, an explosion. If you’re experiencing a pilot light that constantly goes out, contact a gas company to get to the source of the problem. To relight the pilot light, follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly; they can usually be found on the side of the furnace. If you can’t find instructions, find the pilot light assembly, which has a gas valve you can turn to on, off, and pilot. Turn the valve to off and wait a few minutes. Then switch it to the pilot setting. Hold a lit match to the opening of the pilot as you push the reset button (found on the control panel). Keep the button depressed until the pilot light reignites. Set the valve back to the on setting. This should keep the light on. If it doesn’t, you may have a larger problem, such as a clogged opening or a faulty thermocouple. If your light won’t stay on, try calling a professional for assistance.
Check the Thermostat
Another quick and easy fix that may not be the first to come to your mind is to check that your thermostat is working properly. If you have an electric furnace, it relies on the thermostat to know when it needs to turn on. Before you assume your furnace is malfunctioning, check that the thermostat is actually telling the furnace to come on. Make sure it is set to “heat” and not “cool” and that it doesn’t need new batteries.
Check the Circuit Breaker/Power Supply
One of the most frustrating things is thinking something’s broken when it really just needed to be turned on. The same thing can essentially happen with your heating system. To make sure your furnace is actually on, look for a wall switch on or near your furnace. Check that the power cord is plugged into an outlet. Also inspect the circuit breaker of the power panel. Push-in the switch under the front panel to reset the breaker if it has been tripped.
Though heating systems are normally fairly reliable, they can have missteps just like any other appliance in your home. Knowing how to perform some simple repairs yourself can save you a lot of time and money. You can troubleshoot and repair a many furnace problems yourself with some hard work and guidance.
These are just a few easy solutions. If you these tips don’t help or you have questions about your heating system, call our hvac repair experts and we’d be happy to help.
Dec 28th 2017
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