There are certain places in this world where temperatures can cooingly freeze down to 3°C to -23°C. And in times as cold as this, your HVAC heating functions will save you out. However, issues with your heater or furnace will likely arise during this season as you perhaps use it more frequently. Yet, you don’t want to be clueless in a middle of a very cold night when it breaks down and you cannot do anything about it.
In this post, we have narrowed down 10 most common problems of heat and furnace repairs so you can spot and tweak them as soon as you can.
- 1. Dirty, clogged filters
If you have dirty or, much worse, clogged filter, your heater unit will have a hard time supplying enough air to heat your place. If you left this one neglected, it will lead to a damaged fan motor which equates to a more expensive restoration – a restoration that can be prevented by simply cleaning your filter.
- 2. Normal depreciation on parts
Over time, your unit’s parts may need to be replaced due to wear and tear because of daily use. If you leave one part damaged, other parts may break as well. So to make sure this will not happen, regularly check the heater’s belt, bearings, motors, switches, filters, fan blades, and etc.
- 3. Thermostat problems
The thermostat is very important because it serves as the brain of the heater. The thermostat sends an instruction to the whole unit regarding the temperature you want to maintain in your living space. Although your overall unit may work just fine, you will still not achieve the temperature you want if the thermostat is the one which has a problem.
- 4. Ignition errors
Ignition is the source of heat. There are two types of ignition: the gas and the electrically powered systems. If you have a problem with this, you will not be able to generate warmth even if everything else is working well. However, bear in mind that solving this by your inexperienced self will not make any good and it is best to seek a professional assistance for safety purposes.
- 5. Strange noises coming out of the unit
It is normal for your unit to produce sound because it has a fan and a blower. But if your HVAC already produces irritating noise, there is a high probability that there is a problem with it. It can be a damaged fan, a loose debris inside your unit, or there are animal inhabitants inside it.
- 6. Continuous rapid cycling
When an HVAC system is normal, it will run for a while and stay off for a period of time. But if it doesn’t stop and if it cycles rapidly, a problem is present. It is best to call for an HVAC expert to diagnose what the problem is.
- 7. Low heat output
In extreme cases of cold weather, you might have your unit run for a long time but you will still feel that the heat it produces is insufficient. It is normal since HVAC systems have limitations on its temperature range. You might want to support your HVAC by having extra blankets or a firing furnace to keep you warm
On the other hand, if you experience a low heat output during a normal weather. Something is probably wrong. There are different causes of insufficient heat like clogged filter, thermostat failure, the inadequate power of your unit to heat your space, or other issues.
- 8. Heater resets or doesn’t work
If your heater automatically resets the thermostat or it does not work at all, the problems may be connected to your thermostat, electricity source, or disturbance of gas power to the heater. A problem with your flame sensor or gas valve might be also present.
- 9. Inconsistent maintenance routine
Almost every machine needs maintenance. Such is true with your heater equipment. Simple things like replacing certain parts over a period of time, lubricating some motors, cleaning the filter and rotors and much more can give you a lot of significant differences between a warm comfortable sleep and chilly winter nights.
- 10. Utility bills are more expensive despite a working heater
Sometimes, your heater is working properly but when you are about to pay your electricity bill, you get shocked on how high you should pay. If you have no additional equipment that consumes electricity, your HVAC is the culprit. Because there are several reasons why this happen, you should call an expert to fix and maintain your unit.
Should I DIY or Hire an HVAC Pro?
When facing some mechanical problems like this, we are all tempted at some point to identify solutions and fix the issues without the help of professionals. Whether or not to hire a professional service for a residential air conditioning system is up to each homeowner to decide, based on their own skill set and budget. There is definitely nothing wrong with being proactive or wanting to follow some ‘do-it-yourself’ techniques. However, while there are some small fixes you can handle on your own, other repairs and tune-ups should be done by a professional. Add the numerous incidences of home fires that are linked to poorly maintained HVAC systems. It is always wiser to seek for a professional for the heating and cooling services of your unit. After all, hvac service pricing is not as expensive as you expect. Think about of your family’s safety and comfortability during cold seasons are the one at stake here.
