Heater Not Working?

Here are four common issues that can cause your furnace to stop working and they don’t necessarily require the services of a heating expert.

1. Dirty furnace filters

Is your furnace firing up but not blowing heat as hard as normal? Dirty air filters are often the culprit behind an inefficiently performing furnace. That’s because air filters trap dust, dirt and debris like hair, which over time can restrict or block vital air flow, overheating the heat exchanger and preventing your furnace from working as it should.

Filters should be changed every three months or as recommended by your equipment manufacturer manual. To fix the issue, simply purchase a new filter from your local discount or hardware store and follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to make the switch.

2. Thermostat issues

It may sound incredibly simple, but the source of many a malfunctioning furnace is in fact the thermostat, which is really the control center of your heating system.

To troubleshoot, set your thermostat to heat instead of cool, then set it to 5 degrees above room temperature and see if the furnace comes on.

If it’s not working as it should, the problem could be as simple and straightforward as the thermostat’s batteries. When the batteries die, the display will go blank and the thermostat will no longer be able to operate your heating and cooling system. A good way to avoid this issue is to simply replace the batteries every year.

3. Is the furnace turned on?

We hate to ask but could the problem be that your furnace isn’t actually turned on? Sounds like a no-brainer, but if repairs or maintenance work were recently performed on your furnace, and it’s not working for some reason, you may want to check to ensure that it was turned back on. All furnaces have a basic power switch. Simply look for a standard wall switch on or near the furnace and check if it’s in the on or off position.

You may also want to check your circuit breaker or fuse for the furnace, which may have been turned off. Finally, make sure the front panel covering the blower motor is securely fastened – under it, you’ll find a push-in switch, which needs to be fully depressed for your furnace to turn on.

4. Inspect air ducts

Have you noticed cold spots in your home even when hot air is coming out of the air vents? The problem could be the air ducts. Check for handles that protrude from the ducts – these are dampers that control airflow. You’ll want to make sure they’re fully open.

If some entire rooms are still cold, you may have a problem with leaking ducts, or incorrectly designed ducts. This is a serious problem that can increase your energy bill. To find blocked or leaky ducts that could be restricting airflow, take a look at any ducts you can actually access – are there any gaps between sections of ducts or branching out points? You can seal these with special metal duct tape.

And always make sure your vents aren’t being blocked by furniture or covered by objects in your home, like drapes, plants or wall art.

Call Exodus Mechanical

If you have checked all of the above and and your heat is still not working, call Exodus Mechanical and let the professionals help take care of your problem. 469-500-7977 Time for a Furnace Upgrade? Call Exodus Mechanical for a free inspection