Having a functional heater when the outside temperature plummets keeps building residents both comfortable and safe. If you have a no-heat emergency, don’t panic. There may be a simple fix. Try these maintenance steps to get your heater back up and running fast.
Check and Replace Your Air Filter
Whenever your heater’s air filter has heavy buildups of lint-like debris, airflow suffers and your heater overheats. When overheating, many heating systems shut down as a protective measure. This prevents fires, motor burnout, and other serious issues. If your furnace cycles on and then rapidly cycles back off, won’t turn on, or only distributes lukewarm air, a dirty air filter could be the culprit.
Take your HVAC air filter out and inspect it. Replace it if needed, and then give your furnace 20 to 30 minutes to cool down by turning it back on and testing it.
Make Sure Your Thermostat Has the Right Setting
The settings on some thermostats can be confusing. If your thermostat has settings for “AUTO” and “ON”, make sure that it’s set to “AUTO”. Although “ON” seems like the obvious choice, this setting will make your HVAC system’s blower fan run non-stop, but it won’t initiate a heating cycle. When the thermostat is set to “AUTO” instead, the fan will only kick into action to distribute heat. If the air coming from your vents is cool or lukewarm, an incorrect thermostat setting is a likely cause.
Open Closed Air Vents
Closing air vents throughout your home can redirect heated air when you no longer want it in a specific space. But in standard, central HVAC systems, closed air vents create a sudden and dramatic rise in static pressure within ducting. Much like a dirty air filter, this extra pressure inhibits airflow, and it could cause your heater to overheat or underperform. Check the vents throughout your home and make sure that each one is at least partially open.
Reset Your Heater’s Circuit Breaker
If your furnace won’t turn on at all, it may have a tripped breaker. Find your furnace’s breaker and reset it as needed. If it immediately trips its breaker again, schedule professional heating maintenance or a heating repair. A seasoned HVAC technician can find and resolve the underlying fault.
Light the Pilot
If you have an older furnace with a gas pilot light, it may need to be relit. Pilot lights in drafty locations often go out. If your furnace’s pilot light continues to go out or burns with a yellowish flame, schedule heating repairs right away. You should also consider upgrading to a modern heater with an electronic ignition switch. These starting mechanisms are both safer and more efficient.
Whether your furnace isn’t producing heat or won’t turn on, don’t panic. Instead, try some basic maintenance steps and see if they solve your problems. If you have concerns or require heating installation services, contact Ace Cooling, Heating, Plumbing, & Electrical in Albuquerque, NM.