Heating systems are complicated things and no matter how expensive yours is, it’s bound to have an issue or two down the line. Fortunately, most common heating problems can easily be resolved by HVAC technicians and a lot of them can be prevented by regular maintenance checks.
Once you feel that your furnace or heating system isn’t working as it should, best call your local heating provider to see what the issue is. Resist the urge to go and fix it yourself. As mentioned earlier, heating units are complex machines—tinkering with them without expert knowledge of how they work might worsen the problem instead of fixing it.
Below are four of the most common heating problems you’ll likely encounter at some point.
4 Common Heating Problems
1. Thermostat Issues
The thermostat is the brain of your heating system. It controls when it turns on, turns off, and how long it runs, as well as how warm your home is. Hence, when your heating unit starts to act funny, the thermostat is most likely the culprit and the first thing that technicians will check.
Your thermostat needs attention when it’s changing the setpoint or mode on its own, constantly turning the system on and off, or when it’s turning the system on only to turn it off before it warms the whole home. Another obvious indicator is when it has no power at all.
The good news is a faulty thermostat is easier and more affordable to fix than other common heating problems. Most heating contractors are also trained in handling different kinds of thermostats, so you shouldn’t have trouble getting yours fixed in no time.
2. Airflow Problems
Your central heating system warms your home by blowing hot air from the furnace and into the rooms. If you’re feeling a little chilly, chances are hot air isn’t making its way inside your home.
Several things could possibly be causing this. There could be a problem with the fan motors, bearings, or belts, or maybe the ductwork has leaks or blockages. Unbalanced airflow could also be stemming out from an issue in the vanes, grilles, or internal dampeners. Airflow problems should be addressed quickly as they can cause poor heating control or furnace overheating.
3. Dirty or Clogged Filters
Filters are essential in maintaining good indoor air quality, but if left too long without maintenance, they can get clogged with dirt and debris, thus blocking airflow and pushing your system to work harder to provide the same level of heating. Since they’re too gunked up to filter out pollutants, air quality also suffers.
To avoid such a scenario, get your filters cleaned or replaced every three months, or more frequently if you have a pet that sheds or a family member sensitive to indoor allergens.
4. Faulty Pilot or Ignition Control
If you’re using a gas furnace, a failing pilot light is probably the cause of your heating issues. The pilot light is what ignites the gas that your furnace uses to heat your home; thus, it should always be kept lit. If something is disrupting the pilot light from smoothly functioning, it can cause intermittent heating or cut heat altogether.
Whether you’re dealing with a faulty thermostat or clogged filters, Roger Stuth AC can help sort it out! Our team proudly serves the metro Austin area and we have helped countless homeowners bring their air conditioning and heating units back into shape. No matter what the problem is, you can count on us to get to the bottom of it and fix it!