- On March 7, 2023
During the colder months, families all across the United States rely on furnaces to heat their homes, but many fail to keep up with regular maintenance. Still, even the most well-maintained systems can have minor hiccups that require heating repair. Here are 21 things that can go wrong with your home’s heater.
1. Safety Switch Left On
If your home heater does not turn on, this could be due to the safety switch on the furnace floor being on.
2. Tripped Circuit Breaker
If the circuit breaker trips power to the furnace, it will not turn on until the circuit is reset.
3. Dead Thermostat Batteries
Not all thermostats use batteries, but if yours does, it will generally show a low-battery symbol when it is time to change the batteries.
4. Faulty or Damaged Thermostat Wiring
For thermostats that are connected to the house’s main electrical system, faulty or damaged wiring to the thermostat may cause it to malfunction.
5. Ignition Failure
If after inspecting the unit the igniter looks cracked or otherwise damaged, you will need to replace it.
6. No Pilot Light
If there is a cold draft blowing through your heating system or blockage, the pilot light may go out.
7. Incorrect Temperature
If the thermostat is not set to at least five degrees higher than room temperature, you will not notice a difference in temperature.
8. Bad Limit Switch
A bad limit switch will cause the blower to keep running at all times. This will burn out the blower ahead of its usual lifespan.
9. Clogged Filters
When filters are clogged, the system is less effective and less efficient.
10. Loose Panels
This doesn’t usually affect the heating of the home but will cause a disturbing rattling noise that may disrupt sleep and concentration.
11. Bad Motor Bearings
If you hear grinding sounds, call a repair technician as your motor bearings may be going bad and will need to be repaired.
12. Loose Belts
Loose belts also make strange noises in the heating system and may lead to poor air circulation and overheating.
13. Blocked Vents
Another reason for poor air circulation is blocked vents.
14. Gas leakage
Gas leakage is a fire hazard and can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Never postpone gas heater repair.
15. Oil Burner
The older the system, the more likely you are to experience oil burner problems. Keep the filter clean to lessen the likelihood of this happening.
16. Fire Hazards
To avoid worsening the likelihood or extent of fires, refrain from storing flammable objects near the furnace.
17. Contaminated Burners
Debris can cause burners to become contaminated and stop working. Clean burners burn blue, while dirty burners usually have yellow flames.
18. Unlubricated Burner
The furnace blower should be lubricated once per year to help extend the lifespan of the home’s heater system.
19. Ice in the System
If ice is clogging your system, do not ignore it. Clear away the ice and call professionals to diagnose and rectify the problem.
20. Dirty Flame Sensor
A dirty flame sensor is dangerous as the flame sensor forms an integral part of the safety mechanisms of your heating system and may cause your furnace to malfunction.
21. Old Age
Even the best-built furnaces don’t last forever. After about 10 to 25 years, you will need to replace your HVAC system.
No one wants to be freezing at home for the holidays. If you notice your home heater is making strange sounds, isn’t heating up the house effectively, or won’t turn on at all, call a professional before it’s too late. If you live in or around the Phoenix area, we would be happy to help. Contact us at Howard Air, and we’ll get your furnace up and running again in no time!
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