As the calendar flips to November, most of us will officially celebrate the cooler temperatures outside by running to our thermostats and turning on the heater. This is an exciting time of the year, even if you don’t need the heater that often just yet. But what happens when you do need it, and the furnace doesn’t kick on or isn’t warming up your Argyle, TX, home quite like it did this time last year?
You should always call our heater repair professionals at A&A Air at the first sign of heater and furnace problems. That said, nothing says you can’t start educating yourself today about some of the more common heater and furnace problems and how to spot them.
8 Common Heater and Furnace Problems You Should Know
1. Dirty or clogged filters — When furnace filters are clean, they remove dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander, and other particles to keep your home’s air clean and safe to breathe. They also ensure your heater can heat the air as efficiently as possible. When they’re clogged, they force the unit to work significantly harder and can lead to other problems. Generally, most air filter manufacturers, like General Electric, Filtrete, HEPA, and Honeywell, and HVAC companies, recommend changing your air filter every three months. But a lot of that depends on the size and quality of your air filter.
2. Faulty thermostat — One of the more common reasons your heater isn’t working could be a malfunctioning thermostat. Perhaps the batteries are dead, the circuit breaker was tripped, or the thermostat wasn’t installed correctly. Your thermostats could also have faulty wiring, or it could simply be too old.
3. Your pilot light isn’t working — The purpose of a pilot light is to provide a continuous flame to ignite the gas when it’s turned on. When lit, the burner heats the air flowing through your heater so that it can be distributed throughout the home. If your pilot light isn’t working, the furnace won’t run at all.
4. Over-cycling — This is a fancy term to describe when your heater is kicking on and off more than usual. There are many reasons why this might happen, including clogged filters and improper airflow, and it’s definitely not something you want to leave unchecked. This common furnace problem could lead to higher energy bills and more costly repairs if left unresolved.
5. Faulty blower belt — The blower belt helps the heater fan run when it’s supposed to. The problem is that, like anything else, your blower belt can fray, crack, and break over time. When it does, you will likely notice a high-pitched squealing sound from the furnace as it runs. You should call a “heater repair man near me” as quickly as possible if this happens.
6. Cracked heat exchanger — This is one of the more common heater problems and typically the most costly because the entire heat exchanger must be replaced. A heat exchanger separates the warming flame from the air so that the entire system runs safely. It can crack anytime you overheat your house or don’t replace air filters promptly.
7. Tripped circuit breaker — If your heater isn’t warming up your home, it’s possible that a power outage or surge tripped the breaker and caused it to lose power. All you have to do is go to your breaker box, find the tripped breaker, and switch it back to the “on” position. Your heater should return to normal in a few minutes.
8. Bad limit switch — If your furnace continues to blow hot air when it shouldn’t, there’s a good chance that your limit switch isn’t functioning properly. There isn’t a way for a homeowner to replace something like this on their own, however. You’re better off calling a furnace repair technician to fix your heater and furnace problems ASAP.
Heater Preventative Maintenance and New Systems
A preventative maintenance agreement with A&A Air keeps your system running as efficiently as possible, saving you energy. We can pinpoint and correct developing problems at the earliest, least expensive time, before equipment fails. Over the life of your equipment, you will experience lower total operating and maintenance costs with fewer disruptions.
Even if you don’t suspect any problems with your heater, any heating contractor near you will recommend having it inspected, serviced, and cleaned once before winter. Doing so ensures peak energy efficiency and optimal performance. More importantly, it’s your chance to address small problems now before they become expensive repairs later.
Fall/Winter Preventative Maintenance Checklist
• Run and Test Furnace, Inspect Flue/Vent Pipe, Clean and Adjust Burners
• Clean and Inspect Heat Exchangers, Inspect all Electronic Connections
• Check for Gas Leaks, Clean Flame Sensor, Test Safety Controls
• Lubricate all Motor Bearing as Needed, Clean Out Condensate Drain
• Inspect Drain Pan, Change Filters, Clean Condenser Coils (HP)
Call A&A Air in Argyle, TX, Today to Help With Your Heater and Furnace Problems
It can be frustrating when your heater is on the fritz. It’s even more alarming when you know that HVAC companies in Lantana and surrounding communities are a dime a dozen but are often too busy to schedule your service call quickly. At A&A Air, we take your family’s comfort seriously. We know our job inside and out and respond promptly.
All you need to do is give us a call today!
We proudly serve Argyle, TX, and surrounding areas. You can email us at customercare@AAair.net or call
972-951-1320.