When the cold weather sets in, you rely on a home heating system to stay comfortable. Unfortunately, just like any other appliance in your home, your heating system can experience malfunctions from time to time. Knowing when you can repair the issue yourself and when to call a professional heating services team can help you ensure that your system gets the care it needs to run properly.
Thermostat Issues
One of the most common issues that homeowners experience with their heating system is a malfunctioning thermostat. You can tell the issue lies with your thermostat if its display screen remains blank. As a homeowner, there are a couple of steps you can take to help troubleshoot the issue yourself. The first is to check the circuit breaker to see if has tripped your thermostat. If so, simply reset the circuit breaker and your thermostat should go back to working like normal.
If this doesn’t solve the issue, then you’ll want to check the thermostat batteries. Some thermostats have batteries that provide power to them while others rely on power from your home’s electricity. If replacing the batteries doesn’t fix the issue, then it’s highly likely that you have either loose wiring going to your thermostat or the thermostat itself needs to be replaced. Thermostats tend to have a lifespan of around 10 years.
Not Producing Enough Hot Air
Another issue you may run into with your heating system is that it isn’t producing enough hot air. One of the best places to start assessing the issue is with your HVAC filter. If the filter is at the end of its lifespan, it’s going to be so clogged and full of debris that it will restrict airflow throughout your ducting. Fortunately, all you have to do to fix this issue is to put in a new air filter. If putting in a new air filter doesn’t solve the issue, take a look at your thermostat. Ensure that no one has changed the heat settings to be at a lower temperature.
If the issue doesn’t lie with your thermostat or the air filter, then it’s best to have one of our HVAC professionals further evaluate the issue. The issue could lie with a variety of components including the burner, flame sensor, thermostat, or even your ductwork.
Furnace Blowing Cold Air
Another frustrating issue you may run into is that your furnace is blowing cold air. The best place to start repairing this issue is at your thermostat. If the blower fan is sent to On instead of Auto, it will continue to blow air out of the vents even when your heating system turns off. You’ll go from having nice warm air blowing into your rooms to cold air coming in. Fortunately, this is a fairly easy fix, as all you need to do is switch the blower fan to Auto instead of On.
Not Starting
One of the most common issues that homeowners experience with their furnaces is that they won’t turn on. This could be the result of several different culprits. One of the best things to do is listen to see if you hear a clicking noise. When your thermostat sends a signal to your furnace to kick on, it will make a slight clicking noise just before the blower motor starts up and your furnace kicks on. If your furnace fails to make this noise, then it’s likely its starter capacitor is malfunctioning. This is a necessary component that provides a jolt of energy to the blower components to get them going. A professional will have to assess this problem and repair it for you.
If you do hear a clicking noise but you’re not getting any warm air from your vents, it’s time to take a look at your furnace. Start by listening for the blower motor. If the blower motor isn’t working, your furnace could technically be turning on and then shutting off quickly due to overheating. If you don’t hear the blower motor, then one of its components is likely malfunctioning. If the blower motor kicks on and your furnace still doesn’t start up, it likely has to do with an ignition issue.
If you have an older furnace that still uses a pilot light, check to ensure that the pilot light is lit. If it isn’t, you may be able to simply relight the pilot light to get your system back up and running. If your system uses an electronic igniter to light the burner, check to ensure that it’s sending a spark to the burner. If it isn’t, then the issue likely lies with the igniter itself. If it’s sending a spark and the burner isn’t lighting, then the issue is with your fuel supply. This issue could be a faulty flame sensor, a dirty flame sensor, a burner malfunction, or even an issue with your fuel supply line. It’s best to have a professional further evaluate this issue to determine its root cause.
Weird Noises
During the normal operation of your heating system, you should be able to hear it click and the blower fan start running. If you hear other noises develop, it’s a signal that there’s something wrong with your system. The particular tone of the noise can give you some necessary insight into where the problem may lie. For example, a squealing noise will typically indicate that the blower fan belt needs to undergo replacement before it breaks. Most noise-related issues are going to require a professional to identify the source of the noise and repair the issue.
Odd Smells
Another problem that you may experience with your furnace is that it’s starting to produce an odd odor. Just like with unexpected noises, the particular scent of the odor will give you some necessary insight into where the problem lies. For example, a sulfur-like smell will indicate a gas leak while a metallic smell usually indicates an electrical malfunction. If you happen to smell rotten eggs, be sure to shut off the gas supply to your furnace immediately. It’s best to have a professional HVAC technician further evaluate any odd smell coming from your furnace.
A Note on Warranty Coverage
While there are some furnace issues like a clogged filter that you can remedy on your own, most issues that you experience will need to be repaired by a professional HVAC technician. It’s important to realize that most HVAC system manufacturers will require that any warranty work be performed by a licensed technician. If you do the replacement yourself, they may not warranty it and you could find yourself paying out of pocket. Plus, it’s important to remember that professionals have specialized tools, equipment, and knowledge to do the repair job right the first time around.
Trustworthy HVAC Repair Service
DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers trustworthy heating repair service for the Falmouth, MA area. We can also assist with all your air conditioning, plumbing, sump pump, indoor air quality, duct service, dryer vent cleaning, commercial AC, excavation, and water main needs. Simply call us today to book your next service consultation.
