Reasons Why My Heater Isn’t Working
By Air-Master Heating & Air Conditioning
Picture this: You get home from a long day of work and all you want to do is get cozy and cook a yummy dinner , but you suddenly notice your heater is blowing cold air. What a bummer! We understand that the last thing you want to deal with after a long work day is a broken heater which is why we are here to help! In this blog, we detail reasons why your heating may not be working in Bedford, Indiana and surrounding areas.
How Do Heaters Work?
The three most common types of home heating systems include:
Generally, furnaces operate through natural gas or propane to generate heat, while boilers use water to create steam which then heats up the home. Heat pumps use electricity to extract cool air from inside and release it outdoors or move warm air into the home from outside. If your Bedford home is experiencing heater issues, you may want to consider these five common reasons why your heater isn’t working:
- Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
- The Thermostat is Set to On Instead of Auto
- Dead Blower Capacitor
- Faulty Pilot Light
- Lack of Maintenance
Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
Dirty air filters are very common and inevitable as they are caused by high levels of dust and debris in your home. If an air filter is left unchanged to the point where it becomes clogged, this will block incoming air from your gas furnace. A dirty or clogged air filter may sound like a hassle but in reality, it’s a minor issue that is relatively quick and easy to fix. Switching out your filters usually takes about five minutes and should be done approximately every 3 months to ensure your system’s health. Regularly switching out your air filters will also improve your home’s indoor air quality levels which has a direct impact on your health.
Related Article: Air Quality Tips For Homeowners With Pets
The Thermostat is Set to On Instead of Auto
If your heater is blowing cold air, the “On” setting on your thermostat might be to blame because it causes your furnace to run continuously throughout the day. Simply set this thermostat to the “Auto” setting to ensure that your home’s gas furnace only runs during the standard heating process. Other benefits of setting your thermostat to “Auto” include:
- It is considered more energy efficient
- Your air filters will last longer
Dead Blower Capacitor
If you’re unfamiliar with your blower capacitor, this is the part of your furnace that looks like a big battery. Its main function is to provide the initial electrical jolt required for your unit’s motors to function properly. It stores electricity and sends it to your system’s motors in bursts that rev up your unit as it begins the heating or cooling cycle. A dead or faulty blower capacitor will fail to start the furnace as a whole because it’s unable to produce that initial electrical jolt.
Faulty Pilot Light
A pilot light is a small light usually located near the bottom of the furnace and has a on, off, and pilot setting on the gas valve. It is constantly burning to power a larger burner, such as a furnace. When there is a draft, a dirty valve, or a defective thermocouple, this light may turn off. Older units (typically 20 years or older) have a pilot light, whereas newer units may not. If you have an older unit, you should check to see if the pilot light is turned on.
Lack of Maintenance
Just like any other operating machine, it is extremely important to regularly maintain your heating unit. Doing so will ensure it stays working properly while being energy efficient to ensure your personal comfort and prevent any costly breakdowns from happening in the foreseeable future. At Air Master Heating & Air Conditioning, we recommend you get your furnace serviced once every six months for optimum performance.
Furnace problems are more common than you think and sometimes, the tiniest parts could be causing big problems for your heating system. Lucky for you, the pros at Air Master Heating & Air Conditioning are one call away and ready to tackle any issues you may have. For heat pump and furnace repair and maintenance services in Bedford and surrounding areas, give us a call!
