Read reviews
Advice on how to diagnose a heater issue before calling in a professional
The last thing you want to experience in the middle of a cold Houston winter is your heater not working in the house. If it seems as if your furnace isn’t functioning properly, or if the heat isn’t working but the AC is, then you’ll need to call a professional… or will you?
While there are definitely certain types of heating unit repair jobs that should be left to professionals, there are also some front-line diagnostics that you may be able to perform on your own.
If you’re lacking proper warm airflow in your home, go through this checklist of questions to see if the problem is an easy fix before calling our Houston heating repair professionals.
Have you checked the thermostat?
One of the first things you should check if your home heater’s not working is the thermostat. The thermostat is the “brain” of your HVAC system. If it’s not working, neither will your heater.
First, check to make sure the switch is on heat. Then, make sure you’ve placed it at the right setting. If you inspect it and verify that the setting is correct but the thermostat isn’t working, then it’s time to perform a deeper inspection.
If you have a battery-operated thermostat, make sure that the battery isn’t weak or dead. If it is, then replacing it may be the solution to your problem.
Is your furnace switch off?
Sometimes, the furnace switch can look a lot like a normal light switch. So, it can be easy to accidentally flip this switch without even knowing it. If this is the case for you, try flipping the furnace switch and waiting a few minutes to see if the furnace comes back on.
Is Your Furnace Ready To Be Turned On?
Follow these simple steps to get your furnace ready for winter.
Is the pilot light working properly?
If you have a gas heating unit, then checking the condition of the pilot is crucial. First, you’ll need to make sure that there’s gas flowing freely to the pilot light. If there’s a block in the gas line, then turn off the gas valve and call a professional immediately.
Sometimes, turning off the gas valve is all that’s needed to reset the system, but if in doubt, just turn it off and let the professionals handle things.
If there’s enough gas flow through the pilot, then the next step is to check the burner. It’s common for the burner holes to collect soot from previous use, especially if you’re running the heater around the clock.
Turn off the gas first, and then clean the soot off of the pilot. You can simply use a tool to scrape off the soot until you get down to clean metal. After you’ve removed the soot, turn the gas back on and look to see if it ignites properly again.
Did your circuit breaker trip?
If your heater is electrically operated, you’ll want to make sure that the circuit breaker for your heater or HVAC hasn’t tripped. You can do this by turning the switch off and on. Sometimes this is all that’s needed to reset your unit and get the heat flowing once again.
Is your furnace blower panel shut?
If, for some reason, the blower motor panel on your furnace comes loose or is left open, your furnace will not turn on. This is a safety device that protects homeowners from the hazards of a moving blower fan. If you find this panel open, simply shut it to send power back to your furnace blower.
Furnace Parts 101: A Guide for Homeowners and DIYers
Understand how each part of your furnace works so you can quickly identify and fix heating issues.
Are your drain lines clear?
Drain lines from the furnace can get backed up with sediment and other debris. So, if your drain line gets backed up, your furnace could shut down for safety reasons. Clean out the drain lines before attempting to turn your heater back on. This may do the trick.
When’s the last time you changed the air filter?
Did you know that a dirty air filter can prevent your home from being heated efficiently?
Before you check your furnace air filter, turn off your thermostat and your furnace switch. For those with an electric heat pump, replace the air filters in your HVAC system to clear the path for circulating air. For those with a gas or oil furnace, check the furnace air filter and replace it if necessary.
Remember, a dirty furnace filter can eventually cause the system to overheat and shut down.
In general, it’s a good idea to change the filters on your heater or AC at least once a season. If your unit is a heating/air conditioning combo (HVAC), then you’re probably running your unit around the clock, which means you may need to clean or change your air filters every other month. This will increase the airflow in your home and improve the indoor air quality.
Is your heater running constantly?
This is one of the easiest heating issues to resolve. Most heating units are equipped with a lever that allows you to set the airflow between “auto” and “on.” The “on” setting will allow your warm air to run continuously without turning off. But if you set the unit to auto, then you’ll find that the heater will only turn on when it drops below the temperature you’ve set the unit to.
Despite how cold it may be outside, you’ll find that setting your unit to “auto” is best. If the temperature dips too low, then it will automatically turn on. But on the other hand, allowing it to automatically shut off will allow you to save money on your energy bill and prevent it from running constantly.
How clean are your air ducts?
Your air duct system is one of the most important elements inside your house, and yet it’s often one of the most overlooked systems. If you’re not getting your ducts cleaned and vacuumed out on a regular basis, then you’ll never enjoy the type of airflow that you’ll need to feel comfortable.
What’s more, depending upon the age of your home and how the vents are situated outdoors (is the opening of your vent situated underneath a tree, for example?), you might have more than dust balls trapped inside of your ductwork.
Luckily, the issue is relatively easy to fix. Simply call a professional to come and clean things out. Be sure to schedule regular cleanings so you can enjoy clean air and efficiency throughout the year.
Heater not working in Houston? Time to call in the experts at Richmond’s Air!
If you’ve performed your own base-level diagnostics, but you’re still not able to find out what’s wrong, then give the Houston heating and AC experts at Richmond’s Air a call right away.
Since 2002, we’ve been providing top-quality heating and furnace repairs throughout the Houston area. We specialize in residential services, backed by a 1-year parts and labor warranty, so you can rest assured that all our work is 100% guaranteed.
