You rely on your home heating system to keep you warm during the colder months of the year. Even here in Florida, winters can be uncomfortable if your heater is not working.
Unfortunately, a heater won’t always work properly. A heating system is made up of numerous different components. Those components may fail for a variety of reasons. Thus, it’s not uncommon to experience heating issues from time to time.
Don’t worry if this happens. Our team at Easy A/C provides 24-hour emergency AC and heating repair service to homeowners throughout the Tampa Bay area. If your house heater is not working, we’ll get it back up and running fast.
That said, it is helpful to be familiar with the most common heating issues homeowners ought to be prepared for. Knowing the reasons why your heater may not stop working can help you prevent these issues from developing in the first place.
The following are particularly common home heating problems. Keep them in mind as the cold weather approaches.
Why Is My Heat Not Working?
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Clogged Filters
Keeping your heating system in good working order is much easier when you stay on top of upkeep. When an AC technician is at your home to make repairs, perform an inspection, or replace your system with a new unit, consider asking about basic maintenance tips. They’ll help you learn what steps you can take to prevent heating issues.
Changing the filters regularly is crucial to the health of your HVAC system. Filters protect the internal components of your heating system from damage that contaminants and debris in the air might otherwise cause. The problem is, when filters get clogged, airflow is blocked, which prevents your heater from warming your home as effectively as it should.
This isn’t a minor issue. Clogged filters also force your system to work harder to reach your desired temperature, which reduces your system’s efficiency and results in high energy bills. Over time, this lack of efficiency also puts the system through substantial wear-and-tear. Your AC and heating system will thus be more likely to break down. Avoid such problems by changing your filters regularly.
Thermostat Problems
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Old Age
Heating issues can once again develop for several reasons. That said, age is often one of the most common.
The average home heating system should work reasonably well for 10 to 15 years with regular AC maintenance. If yours is over 15 years old, you should expect it to stop working as consistently as it once did.
This is why it’s a good idea to schedule inspections before winter arrives. An AC technician can take a closer look at your older system to identify and correct minor issues before they turn into major problems.
They’ll also let you know whether you should start thinking about replacing your system. Eventually, reduced efficiency and the need for frequent repairs can be more costly than simply upgrading to a new heater.
Be sure to ask our technicians about this topic if you’re not sure whether to replace your system now or later. They’ll provide reliable advice. If you do choose to replace a house heater that’s not working as effectively as it once did, we can also recommend a new system, and offer full replacement service.
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Inconsistent Heating
Does your house feel colder in some spots than others when the heater is running? Does the heater sometimes work effectively, while other times it doesn't?
This can happen for several reasons. Sometimes random spots in your home remain colder than others due to poor insulation. Check your insulation and check for gaps, making any necessary changes. Old windows can also let in cold air.
Your ductwork might also be leaking, yet another common reason heating systems don’t work consistently. Like clogged filters, leaking ducts can also significantly reduce your system’s efficiency, leading to high bills. Get in touch with our team if you suspect this might be an issue.
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Strange Noises
It’s not uncommon for heating systems to make noise when in operation. When your heating system is working, the ductwork naturally expands and contracts, which can result in popping or banging noises. These sounds are not guarantees of a problem.
That said, if you hear your system make noises you haven’t heard it make before, get in touch with a professional. These sounds can indicate a range of potential heating issues.
For instance, you might hear metallic scraping sounds coming from your unit, which often occurs when loose components begin scraping against one another. If you don’t address the problem now, those components might continue to loosen, until more significant problems develop.
Rattling noises are also worth addressing sooner rather than later. A strange rattling noise could be the result of a loose panel. If you hear grinding noises, the motor may not be working properly. Regardless, you need a professional to take a closer look and confirm why your system is making these strange noises.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming your heating system is always to blame when your house heater is not working. Sometimes the cause of the problem lies in a faulty thermostat. If a thermostat isn’t functioning correctly, it might not register the change when you try to adjust the temperature.
Check your thermostat’s troubleshooting guide if your heater is not working, and follow the recommended steps. Contact the Easy A/C team if doing so doesn’t bring about results.
How to Prevent Heating Issues
Again, there are steps you can take to prevent these problems from happening. Our team will gladly let you know how to perform proper maintenance for your system. Additionally, it’s a good idea not to run your system if you don’t need it. Unless it’s a frigid day, it may not be necessary to run your heater while you’re out of the house. The less wear and tear you put your system through, the longer it will stay in ideal condition.
Of course, you do need to be prepared for the possibility of your system failing at times. Contact Easy A/C for prompt help in the Tampa Bay area when that happens. For more information, get in touch with us online today.