Has your heater stopped working? These leading 5 heating system problems and their basic solutions might help to get it working.
Having problem with your furnace? You're not alone. Thankfully, lots of problems have simple DIY fixes. The first action: Check whether your A/C system has power. You do not wish to have a service tech come to your home just to turn a switch at the breaker box. If power isn't the issue, check other possible problems prior to requiring service.
# 1 ISSUE: Thermostat isn't working.
MOST LIKELY OFFENDER: If your heat isn't beginning at all, try changing the batteries in the thermostat, if it has batteries. While you're at it, give the thermostat an excellent cleaning inside with a little paintbrush.
You can also try to reboot it. With the thermostat set to Heat, turn the temperature to about 60º. Then, turn the breaker turn off for 30 seconds and turn it back on Still nothing? Contact an expert.
# 2 PROBLEM: System not switching on.
LIKELY OFFENDER: Examine the emergency situation shutoff switch for the furnace. It may be at the entrance to the heater closet, at the top of the basement stairs, or on the furnace. It may have a red switch plate. if someone changed it off, the furnace won't work.
# 3 PROBLEM: Unclean filter
LIKELY CULPRIT: Not swapping out an old filter can cause a host of problems, not to mention increasing your energy costs. To ensure your heater doesn't work overtime, change your filter each to two months. Here's how: Turn off your heater, find the filter, get rid of the hvac company old one (and remember of the size), change it and turn the heater back on.
# 4 ISSUE: Furnace isn't firing up
LIKELY CULPRIT: Does your furnace click as though it will switch on, but then go silent and never start? If you've checked the power, checked the thermostat and altered the filter, the pilot burner or the ignition sensing unit is most likely the issue. To fix it, start by turning off the gas to your heater. Then get rid of the front panel and find the igniter or ignition sensing unit, which is normally near the burners. Snap a picture of the sensing unit to remind you of how it's connected and then remove the ignition sensor. Rub it with steel wool to get rid of residue, taking care to not damage it. Then put it back precisely as you discovered it and change the panel before turning the gas back on. If you have any doubt about this task, play it safe and employ the pros.
# 5 PROBLEM: Furnace keeps tripping the breaker
LIKELY PERPETRATOR: If your heating system keeps tripping the breaker or blowing the fuse when the heat kicks in, it's probably an electrical issue. To keep you and your household safe, contact the pros to diagnose the cause.
While lots of common heater issues can be fixed without hiring the professionals, it is very important to have your heater professionally serviced as soon as a year, especially if you're not comfy carrying out a few of the necessary upkeep tasks yourself.