Don’t Let Heating System Problems Linger
Heating system can have a variety of problems, but a furnace that won’t work is arguably the worst. A furnace without power means that your family won’t have heat, which can result in discomfort and illness during the cold season. Once you know the reason your heater stopped working, it becomes easier to know how to address the problem.
Most Common Heating Problems
Search the list below for common heating issues and their probable causes. Learn what to do next to correct problems with your heat pump or furnace.
1. Dirty Filter
When your furnace filter is dirty, your heater can’t “breathe,” and makes it difficult to send warm air to the rest of the house. It’s not surprising that this is is one of the most common problems. Your heater might react by blowing constantly, shutting off or cause your heating bills to significantly increase.
Luckily, changing your filter is simple and something you can do yourself. It all starts with finding the right filter for your furnace. We also have a great video that walks you through how to change furnace filter. Be sure to change your filter every three months – this is crucial to both the health and efficiency of your heater.
2. The Pilot Light Goes Out or Doesn’t Come On
Most furnaces don’t have a standing pilot anymore that you can just relight if it goes out (unless your furnace is over 20 years old, in which case you should call a professional to evaluate since it’s an older unit.) In most furnaces, there is an ignition system rather than a pilot you can reach. If your furnace seems like it’s not starting, you should call a professional. An HVAC professional will be able to evaluate and repair the problem.
3. Dirty or Broken Flame Sensor
This is a common problem we see often. The furnace will turn on and off but doesn’t stay on. It cycles to attempt to start the furnace but will shut off as a safety precaution. When your furnace starts, the flame sensor has a short window where it needs to detect if a flame is present. If your furnace continued to emit gas when there was nothing there to ignite it, then it would create a buildup of dangers unburned gas. Most units are set up to go into a “safety lockout” after it’s tried three times.
The flame sensor can become dirty due to carbon build up, and the slightest amount of carbon coating can cause the sensor to misread and shut down. The only way to fix this problem is to have a licensed furnace repair company clean or replace the flame sensors. Do not attempt to open the furnace and clean on your own.
4. Thermostat Isn’t Working
For starters, make sure that it doesn’t need new batteries. Double check that you have it set to heat and the correct temperature. If there is still a problem, call an HVAC professional. Chances are that if you’ve followed these steps, then your thermostat is fine. It’s your heating system that’s having issues.
5. The Blower Runs All the Time
First check the switch on your thermostat. If it’s set to “on”, your blower will run constantly. Change it to “auto” so that it will turn itself on and off as needed when it reaches the set temperature. If it’s set to auto, you may also need to change the filter as we mentioned before. If the problem persists, it’s time to call an expert.
6. Blowing Cold Air
Make sure you have it set to “heat” before you panic – it’s easy to press the wrong button. However, it could also be blowing cold air because the flame sensor is broken or dirty.
7. Some Rooms Are Warm, Others Are Cold
Ductwork is the pathway through your home that spreads warm air. A leak in the ductwork can cause uneven heating. It’s also not uncommon in New Mexico for the ductwork to be the wrong size. It can also be because of poor design. Is your heater in the garage are on one end of the house? If so, the air has to travel farther, making some rooms warm and others cold.
