How to fix the most typical heating system problems
There is nothing worse than waking up cold in the middle of the night.
Its one thing if you simply need to pull the cover. Its an entire different issue if your heater is working improperly or not operating at all.
With a little diy experience you can fix and fix your furnace yourself. Your best choice though is to have a maintenance check list for your heating system to avoid the issue.
Today I have something that will make you feel like you have the understanding to deal with some heating system repairs.
Whether you have a traditional gas heater or a high performance gas heating system comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is necessary. You need to understand the standard operations of the home appliance so you know what to look for when there is something wrong.
Check your thermostat to ensure it is turned on.
It may sound ridiculous however inspect the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least 5 degrees above room temperature level. You might be surprised the number of service calls are made without checking this!
Here are a couple of thermostat checks to perform yourself:
Inspect the battery on the thermostat. You may need to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat system works on batteries make sure you are changing them at least once a year or as needed.
Some thermostats are wired to the homes electrical system while others utilize batteries. How is yours powered? Often those that utilize batteries will flash a low-battery symbol when they need a replacement.
Open the thermostat and gently blow any dust or particles that might have obstructed it.
Make certain the date and time is right on electronic or programmable models - the system might be on a timer.
Inspect the breaker. If on switch off the breaker and check the fuse for the furnace.
Heater is not producing heat - attempt to reset the Circuit Breaker
Here are any number of small reasons this could occur. Initially confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to examine if a noticeable distinction is felt.
If there is no outcome check to see if maybe a circuit breaker or fuse was tripped or blown.
Go to your homes breaker panel and search for the circuit that controls the furnace. Youre wanting to see whether its thrown to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.
Manually evaluate the breaker. Turn it backward and forward.
Make certain it is remaining in the "On" position.
This will reset the breaker. If this does refrain from doing the trick you have a problem with either the electrical wiring in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself.
The heating system is not producing sufficient heat. Examine and change a blocked filter.
A heater that has a hard time to produce heat is a different matter from one that has in some way stopped working.
When it comes to a poor-performing furnace that doesnt heat the home sufficiently very first make sure that the air filter is tidy and in great condition if not brand-new.
This is a simple but important part of heating system maintenance. Among the most common factors to have a heating system not working is a stopped up filter. It also happens to be the easiest maintenance chore.
Changing your heating system filter routinely is a quick and simple job and goes a long way in protecting HVAC parts and improving your inside air quality.
Locate your filter - Some heaters have their filter in the consumption. This probably appear like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the heating system itself.
Examine your filter - You can tell if the time has concerned change it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter requires altering. A dirty unclean odor from the vents when the blower turns on is another excellent indication you should alter your heating system filter.
Change your filter - Make sure your heating system is switched off. No air ought to be coming out. Examine the instructions your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one direction. Installing your filter upside-down can lower its efficiency.
Cleaning up the particles that develops on your filters will assist with the flow of air. When your air filter is obstructed your air handler need to work more difficult to make up for the clog of air circulation. In addition to driving up your energy bill the minimized air circulation through your heating and cooling system can trigger your heat exchanger to overheat and turn off too quickly.
Filters clean the air headed into the heating system and the heated air returned into your home. A dirty clogged up filter limits the air flow ultimately triggering heat and pressure to develop in the heating system.
Newer more efficient furnaces are delicate to the problem and will often shut down before an unclean filter triggers more difficulty. For other systems the heating system will continue to run however with less heat output and reduced performance.
Security turn on a furnace door
If your heater is not running among the first things you need to do is examine the safety turn on the heater door. A furnace door safety switch prevents the fan and burner from beginning while the access panel is removed.
Furnaces have a security switch that pops out when the door is gotten rid of. The door must be in place for the switch to be triggered and for the heater to run.
If you find you need to install a brand-new safety switch follow the action by action instructions on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.
Shut the power off. Prep the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Examine and evaluate the setup.
Keep the location around your furnace tidy and unblocked
This may seem like an apparent suggestion but often homeowners with busy lives forget to focus on locations of their home like the basement.
A basement can become cluttered which in turn can cause the location around the furnace being filled with various belongings and debris. Not only does a clean furnace function much better it looks better.
Prevent storing flammable compounds or products near your heater. Crowding your heater can result in unexpected fires substantial damage to your house and threat to your household and pets.
However practical it might appear to simply "keep it there" for the summer season think about the possibility that you might well forget any products youve left on or near your furnace. Dont take opportunities provide your heating system the space it needs to operate securely.
Furthermore vacuum and clean routinely around your heating system. While you might have eliminated any and all flammable items from the area keep in mind that dust and lint can construct up and create a fire risk. An excess quantity of dust and lint can likewise trigger your filter to become clogged quicker than usual needing more regular replacement.