As the temperatures drop and winter settles in, it is essential to have a reliable heating system to keep your home comfortable. However, even the most well-maintained heating systems can experience issues from time to time. While it is always recommended to seek professional help for major heating problems, there are a few quick fixes for heating problems that can provide temporary relief until your HVAC professional arrives.
At Ridgeline Heating and Cooling, we understand the importance of maintaining a warm home throughout the winter months. If you are experiencing some of the most common heating problems, our team has a few steps you can take to maintain this warmth while you wait for your HVAC professional to arrive.
1. Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system should be replaced every 90, or sooner if you suffer from severe allergies or have pet dander in your home. However, it isn’t uncommon to forget this step in the HVAC maintenance process. As debris clogs your air filters, you may find yourself dealing with heating problems, like uneven heating.
If you find yourself dealing with heating problems and have scheduled HVAC maintenance, you should take a look at your air filters while you wait for your professional to arrive. While they will address dirty air filters during the maintenance process, changing them ahead of this appointment may help you warm your home and allow them to focus on other maintenance tasks.
2. Thermostat Malfunctions
Your thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature in your home. When it isn’t working properly, it can lead to a variety of heating problems, including irregular heating, temperature fluctuations, or a lack of heating altogether. If you have been dealing with persistent thermostat malfunctions, it is best to reach out to an HVAC professional.
While you wait for your HVAC professional to arrive, consider changing out the batteries in your thermostat to see if that helps you maintain the heat in your home. If the batteries are the problem, your furnace should begin working immediately after the batteries are installed. If that doesn’t work, it might be a good time to consider upgrading your thermostat to a programmable device that heats your home more efficiently.
3. Strange Noises
While it isn’t uncommon for your heating system to make noises while it runs, it is important to understand what noises are uncommon. If you notice noises coming from your HVAC system that you don’t recognize, it might be a good idea to call your HVAC professional to schedule an appointment to inspect the system.
While you wait, take a look at your HVAC system and tighten any loose parts that are visible. This may address the noises altogether. If, however, these noises persist, it might be in your best interest to shut down the system entirely until your HVAC professional arrives to prevent any additional damage.
4. Tripped Circuit Breaker
Your circuit breaker is responsible for protecting appliances in your home from ground faults, short circuits, and more. If you wake up to find that your heater isn’t working, this may be a result of a tripped circuit breaker. To quickly address heating problems caused by a tripped circuit breaker, you should reset the circuit. Your circuit breaker is located in low-traffic areas of your home, like a garage or utility closet.
Find the appropriate circuit and reset it. After resetting, monitor your heater to ensure the breaker doesn’t trip again. If it does, this may indicate an electrical issue that needs to be addressed by a professional. If this is the case, it is best to call your HVAC professional, who can assess your system to determine what the cause of this problem is.
5. Pilot Light Problems
As your furnace runs, your pilot light may experience soot build-up that causes it to go out. While newer furnaces may feature an electronic ignition system that will attempt to relight it, you may have to relight it yourself. If, however, it goes out again, it might be time to call an HVAC professional to avoid more substantial heating problems.
While you wait, you may attempt to relight the pilot light on your own. However, if it continues to go out, you should shut off the system. As your pilot light remains unlit, it may leak gases into your home, posing a significant risk to your health. If you are feeling light-headed, nauseous, or fatigued, it is best to leave your home and contact your gas company.
6. No Heating
A complete lack of heating during the winter months might be the worst furnace problem to deal with. It is certainly not the kind of problem you want to leave unaddressed, as it can make your home incredibly uncomfortable. There are a variety of potential causes, making it essential that you reach out to a professional for help as soon as possible. While you wait for your trusted HVAC professional to arrive, there are a few things you can do.
First, double-check that your thermostat is still working properly. Change the batteries if necessary. If the problem persists, check your circuit breaker to ensure the circuit hasn’t tripped. Also take a moment to check your air filters. If these quick fixes don’t resolve your heating problems, it might be best to light a fireplace or space heater while you wait for your HVAC professional to arrive.
Addressing Heating Problems with Ridgeline Heating and Cooling
At Ridgeline Heating and Cooling, we understand just how important it is to address heating problems during the cold winter months quickly. With 50 years of combined experience, our team is confident that we can quickly and efficiently address any heating problems you are experiencing in your home, helping you return your home to its previously warm state. If you are dealing with any furnace problems in your home, don’t hesitate to contact our team today to help you address them.