If your heating system breaks down, be the first to respond to the problem. Here are some tips for how to troubleshoot your heater.
You know those people who call for heater repair service only to find out that the heater switch on their thermostat was set to cool or the breaker just needed to be flipped? Don’t be that person…
If your heater goes out this winter, you can first try to resolve the issue yourself. Hopefully, it will only be something minor that can be handled without scheduling service from an HVAC technician. But if you do need to bring in a professional, contact Richmond’s Air and we’ll get you all sorted out.
Heater Troubleshooting Tips
Here’s some DIY advice from the experts on troubleshooting your heating system:
- Check the Thermostat. The thermostat is the “brain” of your HVAC system. If it’s not working, neither will your heater. First, check to make sure the switch is on heat. If it is but you notice something isn’t quite right with the thermostat, try replacing the batteries.
- Check the HVAC or Furnace Breakers. If the heat is not blowing the second place you should look is your breaker box. Check the HVAC and/or furnace breaker to verify that they haven’t been tripped. If either of the breakers is not connected, go ahead and flip the breakers to the on position.
- Replace the Air Filters. A dirty air filter can prevent your home from being heated efficiently. For those with an electric heat pump, replace the air filters in your HVAC system to clear the path for circulating air. For those with a gas or oil furnace, check the furnace air filter. A dirty furnace filter can cause the system to overheat and shut down. Replace this filter if necessary. (Before checking the furnace air filter, turn off your thermostat and your furnace switch).
- Check Furnace Switch. Sometimes the furnace switch can look a lot like a normal light switch. It can be easy to accidentally flip this switch without even knowing it. Flip the furnace switch and wait a few minutes to see if the furnace comes on.
- Shut Furnace Blower Panel. If for some reason the blower motor panel on your furnace comes loose or is left open your furnace will not turn on. This is a safety device that protects homeowners from the hazards of a moving blower fan. If you find this panel open, simply shut it to send power back to your furnace blower.
- Check Gas Valve. If your heat still doesn’t work after all that, check the gas valve to make sure it’s turned on. If you have a gas heater, follow the gas line to the meter. Once you find the valve make sure it’s parallel to the pipe in order to turn the gas back on.
- Inspect Air Ducts. If air is blowing but it’s cold and everything else checks out, perhaps you have a leak in the air ducts. This is especially true if you find that certain rooms of your house are warmer than other rooms. Inspect the air ducts to make sure there isn’t a leak in the system.
- Flush Drain Lines. Drain lines from the furnace can get backed up with sediment and other debris. If your drain line gets backed up your furnace could shut down for safety reasons. Clean out the drain lines before attempting to turn your heater back on.
- Assess Furnace Code if Flashing. Newer furnaces will have lights that report the status of a furnace. Sometimes these lights can be seen from outside, but in some cases you may have to remove the furnace door. If these lights are blinking refer to the information printed on the inside of the furnace door to assess the issue that’s affecting your home’s heating system.
If after all that your heat is still not working, call your local HVAC repair service to schedule an appointment for a professional to come take a look. For those looking for heater repair in Houston, contact Richmond’s Air to help restore heat to your home.