Check to make sure your central heating system is ready to go for winter … before it gets cold.
If there’s one piece of advice we like to give out this month, it’s this: check your central heating system now to make sure it’s working efficiently and effectively. Test your system before the frigid winter months are upon us; before our technicians are scrambling to handle a jam-packed, over-booked service call schedule, and before you need to heat your home and keep your family comfortable.
In order to help you, we’ve put together a list of the most common problems our customers face with their central heating system. And as always, give us a call at the first sign of trouble … we’ll help you get your system fixed before you need it!
Partial Heat Loss
How many times have you held your hand in front of the heating vent and realized that there’s some heat coming out, but not quite as much as what seems normal? If your furnace isn’t performing at optimum level, there are several possible reasons. Your ductwork system might be the source of the problem, as it might have blockage or leaks that are preventing a strong air flow. It could also be due to plugged filters, or blowers that aren’t working properly.
Complete Heat Loss
This is probably the one that every homeowner dreads: turning on your furnace and getting nothing … nada … zippo. After you’ve hung your head down for a good cry, try to first isolate the problem. It could be that your system isn’t getting power. It could also be an issue with one of the electronic components, including boards or a safety sensor. Your system will need to be diagnosed by a trained technician with proper equipment in order to isolate the problem. Also, make sure to check your thermostat and make sure it’s in the “on” position, and see if the temperature is set high enough to kick on the furnace.
Ductwork Problems
The challenge with your ductwork system is that it’s kind of like an ant den: complex, extensive and complicated.Because of the way it’s structured, winding its way throughout your home, there are plenty of places where there could be problems. This could include leaks, blockages, or rodent and insect damage. This is one of those issues that will require professional services with proper diagnostic equipment and repair capabilities. The cost of heat loss can be dramatic during the coldest time of the year, so getting this problem identified and fixed early in the season is crucial.
Thermostat Malfunction
Have you ever had this conversation in your home?
“It’s freezing in here now, but I was just burning up!”
“Me too! I need a blanket! Are we getting sick?”
Sometimes homeowners will complain of crazy temperature swings, no matter how they adjust the thermostat. If you experience this problem, it might not be you and your hormones: it might be due to the fact that your thermostat is not functioning correctly. When this happens, the furnace isn’t able to read the true temperature in your home properly, and so your system will run when it shouldn’t, or fail to kick on when it should. First, check to make sure that the problem isn’t due to a dead battery. If a new one doesn’t do the trick, your thermostat will have to be recalibrated by a professional. But if this doesn’t solve the problem, you will most likely need to replace your system. If so, make sure to ask about programmable thermostats, as they are much more energy-efficient and can drastically cut down on your heating bills.
Lack of Maintenance
Just about 80 percent of the time, a heating system issue can be directly linked to the lack of proper maintenance. A furnace that’s been taken care of will outperform its out-of-tune, dirty counterpart every time. At minimum, we recommend that you have your system professionally serviced and cleaned once a year. The better your unit performs, the more money you’ll save (and the less energy it’ll use). And remember … If your unit is 12 years old (or older), you should consider an upgrade, as newer systems operate at much higher levels of efficiency.
Have questions?
We’re always here to help. Let us know if you have concerns about your central heating system, and we’ll be happy to provide further information or schedule a service call.
Indianapolis homeowners can call Action Air at 317-451-4371 to address furnace or heating problems in their home.
