If you are like most people, the first thing you do when your heater stops working is to panic. After all, Florida winter is coming, and the last thing you want is to be left out in the cold. But before calling an HVAC technician for heating repair Manatee, FL in a panic, you can check a few things to see if you can troubleshoot the problem yourself.
11 Common Reasons the Heater Stopped (and Troubleshooting Tips)
Have you been feeling a little chilly lately? Perhaps you went to turn on your heater only to find that it wasn’t working. While this can be frustrating, there are a few reasons this issue can occur that might require heating repair Manatee, FL.
- It’s been a while since you had furnace maintenance.
When were you last called a technician to inspect your heating system? It might be time for repair service if it’s been a while. Over time, furnaces can develop cracks and other issues that can lead to a loss of heating power. By scheduling heating repair Manatee, FL, you can rest easy knowing your unit is running as efficiently as possible.
Even if you don’t think there is anything wrong with your heater, it is always a good idea to have an annual heating inspection. It allows the technician to catch potential problems before digging into something more serious.
- Your filters are dirty or clogged.
Check the filters if your furnace has been having a tough time heating up your home. Frequent use makes it not uncommon for them to become clogged with dust and debris. This can make it difficult for air to flow through, which in turn makes it difficult to heat your home.
Fortunately, this is an easy heating repair Manatee, FL that you can do yourself. All you have to do is locate the filters and replace them with new ones. If you are unsure how to do this, consult your furnace’s owner’s manual or give us a call, and we’ll be happy to help.
- The refrigerant levels are extremely low.
When there is insufficient refrigerant in the system, the compressor cannot generate enough pressure to push the refrigerant throughout the unit. This will cause the heater to stop working, and it will not be able to heat your home.
Other common symptoms include strange noise from the unit and ice forming on the refrigerant line. Leaks often cause low refrigerant levels, so getting them fixed as soon as possible is important.
- The thermostat is improperly set or malfunctioning.
In some cases, the reason your heater isn’t working could be as simple as the thermostat. It is a device that regulates the temperature of a room or building by sensing the ambient air temperature and then sending a signal to either turn on or turn off the heating system.
If the thermostat is not properly set, it will not be able to signal the furnace to turn on. Likewise, if it is malfunctioning, it might not be sending the correct signal to the unit. You can try resetting it or replacing the batteries. Otherwise, call a heating repair Manatee, FL technician to take a closer look.
- Your ductwork is inaccurately designed or installed.
The ductwork is the system of air ducts that delivers heating and cooling to your home. If it is improperly designed or installed, several problems can occur, such as heating rooms that are not being used, heating rooms that are not supposed to be, and heating the entire house when only one room needs it.
An improperly sealed ductwork can also cause heating issues. Any holes or cracks can allow air to escape – making it difficult to heat your home. This heating repair Manatee, FL is a little more complicated and will require the help of a professional. Leakage is another common issue, with a musty smell and high heating bills being the two most common symptoms.
- The blower capacitor is dead.
This component supplies power to the blower motor. If it fails, the motor will not be able to run, and the heating unit will not function. Replacing the capacitor is a relatively easy and inexpensive heating repair Manatee, FL that you can do alone if you are comfortable with electrical work. Just make sure to disconnect the power to the furnace before doing the work and follow the instructions carefully to avoid causing further damage to the system.
- Too much gas is being delivered to the burners.
Furnace manufacturers set a specific amount of gas that should be delivered to the burners, preferably around 10-11″ of the water column. Too much gas can cause the furnace to overheat and eventually break down. Not enough gas will make the unit work less efficiently.
While there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem, such as checking your vents, making sure the furnace filter is clean and in good condition, and increasing the airflow by opening up more vents in other rooms, it is still ideal to call a heating repair Manatee, FL technician for extra help since they will have the tools and experience to troubleshoot the issue.
- The flame sensor is dirty or malfunctioning.
The flame sensor’s primary job is to detect whether or not a flame is present in the burner. It automatically shuts the gas supply off if it does not detect a flame, which prevents the furnace from heating up and potentially exploding.
A dirty or malfunctioning sensor will cause the furnace to think there is no flame present and will shut off the gas supply even when there is a flame. Either clean the sensor with a wire brush or replace it entirely.
- The pilot light is out.
There are a few potential causes for this problem, and unfortunately, it can be tough to diagnose the exact issue without a professional inspection. One possible reason is that the pilot light itself is defective, which may require you to replace the pilot light assembly.
Some homeowners have an issue with the gas line or gas valve. A blocked or damaged gas line can prevent proper flow to the pilot light, causing it to go out. Similarly, a faulty gas valve can also cause issues with the gas flow. Because gas is involved, it is best to call a heating repair Manatee, FL technician to come and take a look rather than trying to repair it yourself.
- The heating element is damaged.
A damaged heating element is another common issue that can cause heating problems. It is responsible for heating up the air that circulates through your home, so if it is damaged, your winter heating bills will be through the roof as the furnace struggles to heat your home.
Replacing the heating element is a pretty straightforward heating repair Manatee, FL that you can do on your own, as long as you are comfortable working with electrical components. Just be sure to disconnect the power to the furnace before beginning any work.
Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you out:
- Check for signs of overheating, such as discoloration or burning of the element.
- Inspect the wiring for any signs of damage.
- If the heating element is damaged, replace it with a new one.
- Reconnect the power to the furnace and test it to ensure it is working properly.
- The heating unit is too old.
It’s not just human bodies that slow down with age – the same thing happens to your heating unit. It will become less efficient as it struggles to heat your home like it used to. This is especially true if you have an older furnace that uses outdated technology.
While you can do nothing to stop your system from aging, you can keep an eye out for common problems that tend to pop up as it ages. These include issues like leaks, strange noises, and a decrease in heating efficiency. If you are starting to notice any of these problems, it may be time to start shopping for a new unit.
Of course, you could also try some heating repair Manatee, FL first to see if that helps extend the life of your heating system. But eventually, you will likely need to replace it entirely.
Heat Won’t Turn On? Give Our Heating Repair Specialists a Call!
As the summer in Florida comes to an end, you will want to start thinking about getting your heating unit inspected and serviced as a preparation for the colder months ahead. Our heating repair Manatee, FL specialists can help you with any issues you may be having, large or small.
We will inspect your unit and identify potential problems to fix them before they become big issues. Our HVAC experts can also service your unit and clean it to help ensure it runs at peak efficiency.
For all your heating repair needs, you can drop us a call at (941) 216-2028, and one of our heating specialists will be happy to help you out!
