Has your heater stopped working? These top 5 heater problems and their basic services may assist to get it working.
Having difficulty with your furnace? You're not alone. Fortunately, many issues have easy DIY repairs. The very first step: Check whether your A/C system has power. You don't wish to have a service tech pertained to your house just to turn a switch at the breaker box. If power isn't the problem, check other possible problems before calling for service.
# 1 ISSUE: Thermostat isn't working.
MOST LIKELY PERPETRATOR: If your heat isn't coming on at all, try altering the batteries in the thermostat, if it has batteries. While you're at it, provide the thermostat a good dusting inside with a little paintbrush.
You can also try to reboot it. With the thermostat set to Heat, turn the temperature down to about 60º. Then, turn the breaker turn off for 30 seconds and turn it back on Still absolutely nothing? Hire an expert.
# 2 ISSUE: System not turning on.
LIKELY CULPRIT: Examine the emergency situation shutoff switch for the furnace. It might be at the entrance to the heating system closet, at the top of the basement stairs, or on the furnace. It may have a red switch plate. if someone switched it off, the heating system won't work.
# 3 PROBLEM: Filthy filter
MOST LIKELY OFFENDER: Not switching out an old filter can trigger a host of issues, not to point out driving up your energy costs. To guarantee your furnace doesn't work overtime, change your filter every one to two months. Here's how: Switch off your heater, find the filter, remove the old one (and remember of the size), change it and turn the furnace back on.
# 4 PROBLEM: Heater isn't igniting
LIKELY OFFENDER: Does your heater click as though it's about to switch on, but then go quiet and never start? If you've inspected the power, examined the thermostat and changed the filter, the pilot light or the ignition sensing unit is likely the issue. To fix it, start by turning off the gas to your heater. Then remove the front panel and find the igniter or ignition sensor, which is normally near the burners. Snap a picture of the sensing unit to remind you of how it's attached and after that eliminate the ignition sensor. Rub it with steel wool to eliminate residue, taking care to not damage it. Then put it back exactly as you found it and replace the panel before turning the gas back on. If you have any hesitation about this project, play it safe and employ the pros.
# 5 PROBLEM: Heating system keeps tripping the breaker
LIKELY PERPETRATOR: If your furnace keeps tripping the breaker or blowing the fuse when the heat begins, it's most likely an electrical issue. To keep you and your household safe, call in the pros to detect the cause.
While many typical heating system concerns can be fixed without calling in the experts, it is very important to have your heating system expertly serviced when a year, especially family heating and cooling if you're not comfy performing some of the required maintenance tasks yourself.