You need a faulty heating system as much as you need a hole in the head. Unfortunately, while regular maintenance and servicing can keep the majority of problems at bay, repairs and replacements are an unwelcome fact of life. Heating and cooling systems typically come during the winter and summer months when they’re working hard to keep your home or business comfortable. You’ll get problems in the middle of seasons that are most cumbersome to deal with.
So, what are some of the most common heating problems you’re likely to experience? We spoke to ESCO Utah to find out the most common issues and what you can do about them.
High Energy Bills
High energy bills are always a problem. With energy costs skyrocketing in the US and around the world, this is something everyone who is reliant on natural gas is now experiencing. However, soaring gas prices aside, sudden spikes in your energy bill can also be symptomatic of a problem with your heating system. Such problems include a dirty air filter, a tripped breaker in your outdoor unit, or something more serious such as a refrigerant leak or a damaged compressor.
If you’re receiving higher-than-expected fuel bills, try troubleshooting the issues we’ve mentioned. You can also take a look at the other ways to keep your home warm and check for unwanted airflow in your home, and if that doesn’t work, it’s probably time to call the professionals.
There’s Cool Air Coming Out of Your Vents
Source: essentialhomeandgarden.com
Whether you have a heat pump or a furnace, the system works by heating air that’s dispersed throughout your home via a series of air ducts and vents. However, a fairly common heating problem is that cool air rather than warm air comes out of your vents. There are several possible reasons for this.
- Thermostat – The first step is to make sure that your thermostat is working properly and is set to the right temperature. Also, check that your thermostat is on ‘auto’ rather than ‘fan on’, which blows out non-heated air.
- Air filter – Next, check that your air filters are clear. They collect a lot of dirt and debris that can restrict airflow and prevent your heating system from working effectively. You should replace your air filters at least every three months.
- Pilot light – You should also check that your pilot light is on. If it’s not, then there not be any gas flowing to it. If the solution is not immediately obvious, such as the gas valve is switched off, then call your local HVAC team to diagnose the problem.
- Air ducts – Leaky air ducts are another potential cause of a lack of hot air. An easy way to check for a leak is to turn your fan on, go into your attic, and see if there’s any air blowing from your ductwork. Any leaks should be easy to fix with HVAC tape or duct sealant.
Your Thermostat Is on the Fritz
Both conventional and smart thermostats can suffer a glitch from time to time. This can be caused by anything from a low battery or misused settings to a tripped circuit or even incorrect wiring. If you can’t find the cause of the problem, try resetting it to the manufacturer’s settings. And if it’s still not working properly, then call a professional.
Problems with the Pilot Light or Ignition Control
Source: my-plumber.co.uk
Modern heating systems tend to have either a hot surface ignition or an intermittent pilot, and faults are fairly common with both. Problems with the pilot light or ignition can lead to intermittent or no heat in your home. This issue isn’t going to resolve itself, so you will require professional help. A much rarer fault is for you to have a pilot light that burns yellow. That could be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak, so you should call an experienced technician immediately.
Your Heating System Won’t Turn Off
It’s great to be cozy, but having a heating system that won’t turn off can create a whole host of problems and rack up a huge energy bill. First, check that your system is on ‘auto’ rather than ‘on.’ If it’s on ‘auto,’ it will automatically shut off when it reaches the set temperature, whereas if it’s set to ‘on,’ it will run and run.
The next thing is to check that your thermostat is working correctly. If you’re not sure, then reset it to the manufacturer’s settings and see how the system runs after that. If that doesn’t work, you may have a problem with your system’s blower, in which case, you’re going to need the help of the pros.
There’s Mold in Your Heating System
Source: restorationmasterfinder.com
Another relatively common problem in heating and cooling systems is to have a build-up of mold in the system due to faulty ductwork or insulation. Signs that there’s mold in your heating system include:
- A musty odor when running your heating and cooling systems
- Illness and allergy symptoms
- Visible mold on air ducts
If you think you could have a mold problem, it’s worth asking a professional HVAC technician to clean your system thoroughly and properly insulate and seal your ducts.
So there you have, the six most common heating problems for you to look out for and their potential fixes. If your heating system is a furnace, then here are a few other issues you might experience.
We hope this article has helped you. A heating system is one of the most important things, and if you don’t pay attention, that can cause you a lot of other problems.
