Now that the colder nights are upon us, you may be turning your heater on for the first time. If it is blowing cold air out of the vents or won’t turn on at all, that is a problem! Whether you have a gas furnace or heat pump, here are some common heating issues with easy fixes to try before calling us to have a service technician to come out to your home.
Check the filter(s)– At this point I am sure I am a broken record, but the number one reason a system fails is constriction of air flow (aka a dirty filter). Don’t know where to look? We can help you here.
Check thermostat batteries– Make sure the batteries are fresh and the metal terminals are clean of any corrosion. We have made a quick video for reference. If you have a smart thermostat that is connected to WiFi you can skip this step.
Check the thermostat display– On some newer models of heating equipment, there will be an error code displayed right on the thermostat. If there is an error code, feel free to call the office or contact us here and we can help decipher what the problem may be.
Check the breaker– If the fan won’t come on at all, the issue could be power. At your main (or sub) electrical panel there should be a breaker labeled “furnace” or “fan” “FAU” or “air handler”. Check and see if it may have tripped by rocking the breaker off and then back on firmly.
Check the furnace itself– If your unit is located somewhere you feel comfortable (like the closet or garage) and it is a modern furnace, sometimes there is a little round window on the front of the furnace that has a light behind it. If it is pulsing steady with no breaks, that is normal. If it is flashing in a sequence (ex: three flashes, pause, three flashes, pause) then you can call or email us and we can look up what error code is causing the unit to not function properly.
Other helpful tips– Most central gas furnaces in homes today are new enough that they do not have a standing pilot light if they were manufactured after about 1980. So unless you have a furnace over 40 years old, chances are you don’t have to worry about a pilot light going out or needing to be relit for winter.
Do you have a heat pump? With a lot of homeowners making the switch to electric heat sources, they come with a learning curve. Heat pumps are not meant to be turned completely off and expected to heat quickly when there is a large difference from current indoor temperature and what the desired temperature is set to. Want some more information on what to expect from your heat pump? Check this article out.
The best way to avoid furnace problems or needing us out for a furnace repair is to have a regular tune-up done on your home’s heating system. Reach out to us today at Perfection Home Systems and we can help you set up a maintenance on your system.