Heat Won’t Turn on? Take These Steps Now
Your home’s heating system can be one of the most important appliances in your house, especially in the winter months. It can be really frustrating to figure out your heating system may not be working as you want it to. Some might immediately think it’s just a problem with your thermostat or the temperature is set wrong when in fact it could be much more complicated than that. Below will discuss all the possible factors that may be impacting your home’s heating system. And don’t forget to contact the heating experts at Evergreen HVAC. if you are experiencing heating issues.
What Do I Do if My Heat Isn’t Working?
If you notice one chilly night your heat isn’t working as well as you want it too there is likely something not working correctly throughout your system. In some cases, it may be an easy fix to get it up and running again but other times it may be more difficult to fix. Before you panic, try some of these steps to get your heating system back up and running again:
Check your Thermostat:
If your heating system isn't turning on, the first thing you should do is check your thermostat to ensure the power is on. In some cases, the power may have been turned off and your thermostat isn't receiving any power. That would cause your heat to not work as well. Certain circumstances such as a power outage, burnout, or a power surge could have impacted how your thermostat is receiving power. This would only happen if your thermostat was hardwired. If your thermostat is programmable, it may just have turned off or reset by itself. Additionally, if you have a smart thermostat, you need to make sure your wifi is up and running. If the thermostat lost its connection to the wifi, then it wouldn't be able to communicate with the heating system. Lastly, manual thermostats that are not working properly may be caused by faulty wires. It is fairly easy to fix any thermostat and not that expensive to do so.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings:
If your thermostat is receiving power and your heart still isn't working, then you should check your thermostat settings to ensure they are set correctly. If your thermostat isn't set properly, it may trigger the heating system to shut off without you even knowing. First, you should make sure your thermostat is set to a “heat” mode and at a higher temperature than the temperature without heat. If your thermostat is set to any other mode, such as “cool” or “vacation”, it could cause your heating system to cool your house rather than warm it. Additionally, you should make sure that your thermostat has the correct date and time settings. Your thermostat needs to be set to change temperatures based on the time of day. While most people have it set to be less warm when they are not home, your thermostat may be accidentally programmed to that temperature all the time. Reviewing any settings on your thermostat that could impact the temperature in your home could help figure out why your heating system isn't working properly.
Inspect your Circuit Breaker:
If you have looked over your thermostat and it seems to be completely fine, the next step is to check your circuit breaker to make sure nothing tripped. Additionally, someone may have accidentally switched off the breaker that connects to your heat on the thermostat. In the case, you find a breaker has tripped, reset that breaker and stay to see if it trips again. If the breaker trips again, you need to call a professional to come help repair your heat but if it stays up and running, that was probably the cause for your faulty heating system.
The Furnace is not Receiving Power:
After you have inspected your thermostat and the circuit breaker, the next step is to check out the furnace itself. It wouldn't matter if any of these systems were functioning correctly if your heating system was off in the first place. You should first make sure that the furnace is switched on. If it is on, you should examine the furnace for possible fuses. Factors such as power overloads, replacing a thermostat without switching off the power first, and problems in the wiring can all cause fuses. Your heat may not be working because your furnace is having a fuse problem. Lastly, you should examine your furnace's gas line. For the furnace to work, there needs to be a constant gas flow to power the furnace. Ensure the gas lines are closed and that the furnace is receiving a steady gas flow. Read our blog here on when to replace your furnace.
Furnace Won't Turn On:
If while examining your furnace you notice that it just won’t turn on, that is the reason why the heat isn't working throughout your home. One reason your furnace may not be turning on is it has grimy air filters. This means that the air filters in your furnace have become clogged with excess dirt and grime, and air cannot flow normally within the furnace. If air cannot flow, the heat can get trapped inside and cause damage from within. Try replacing the filter and seeing if that fixes the problem. If you don’t think it's the air filters, it may be dusty flame sensors. When a flame is present and gas is flowing throughout your furnace, your flame sensor will detect it. If the sensors become dirty, the whole furnace may shut down to be safe when there actually is no problem at hand. Cleaning your flame sensors may help fix the problem.
Your Heat Isn't Turning On, Now What?
If you have tried everything you could think of to fix your heating system and nothing seems to be working it may be time to call a heating professional to help. In the meantime, you may need to figure out ways to keep your home warm until someone is able to come out and repair your heat. Here are some ways to keep warm while you wait for your heating system to be fixed:
Use a Space Heater:
In an emergency, you need temporary heating while your heating system is faulty, a space heater may be a good option. You should plug the heater into a central room that you and your family can all fit in. Having everyone in the same room as the space heater can also make the room warmer. A space heater is a great option for temporary heat while your furnace gets fixed.
A Fireplace:
Making a fire in your fireplace can also be a great way to keep your home warm. Make sure to follow necessary safety precautions when having a fire in your fireplace to ensure no one gets hurt and your home doesn't burn down.
Insulating Against Cold Air:
Another great way to warm your home without a furnace is to insulate the parts that could let in cold air from the outside. Typical spots that would have drafts in your home would be windows, doors, or basements that are underground. Additionally, closing the doors to any rooms you are not using can help limit the amount of outside air that passes through.
Dress in Warm Clothes:
Although this one seems obvious, it can really make a difference when you are trying to conserve as much heat as you can. Dressing in your warmest clothes and using heavy blankets can help your body stay warm while you wait for your heat to be repaired.
When Should I Call a Heating Professional?
Once you have tried everything you can do to get your heat back up and running and your heat still isn't functioning correctly, it is time to call a professional to repair your home's heating system. The experts at Evergreen HVAC, will be able to address the problem and fix it in a timely manner. One of our professionals will have your homes heat up and running in no time.