It’s getting into the colder months of the year, and it’s important to make sure your heating system is working correctly. We’ve put together a list of the most common heating system problems. Knowing what they are and how they occur can help you possibly avoid them in the future.

Common Problems

Below are some of the common causes of furnace problems.

• Lack of Maintenance – If you fail to keep up with annual inspections, you may run into unexpected problems. Regular maintenance can help keep your heater working at maximum efficiency.
• Dirty Filters – Clogged filters block airflow, forcing your system to work even harder. Replace them according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
• Mechanical Wear – Mechanical parts wear down and need replacing over time. Parts failure can cause overheating and poor performance.
• Thermostat Issues – It’s possible it’s not the furnace that’s malfunctioning, and it’s actually the thermostat. This can lead to no heat, intermittent heat, or blasts of hot air.
• Ignition Control – A faulty ignition or pilot can create heating problems. A specialist can determine the cause of the outage.
• Noisy Unit – There could be a mechanical issue at play. Rumbling and rattles are not typical.

What to Do

Regularly change your air filters. This will prevent at least one problem from coming to the surface. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Double check your thermostat. Sometimes the battery simply needs replacing; other times the fan or heat setting may not be where it should be.

Reduce drafts where you can and make sure the unit didn’t blow a fuse. If those at-home checks don’t change anything, it’s time to call a specialist.

If you’re having a problem with your heater, contact Total Comfort Heating & Cooling. We can send one of our expert technicians to your home and assess and fix your problem. Don’t get stuck in the cold!