When your heater is not working properly on a cold winter night, staying comfortable becomes much harder. Given that furnaces and other kinds of heaters are complex systems, there are a variety of issues that can stand in the way of your warmth — some of which don’t involve the heating system itself. Let’s take a look at five possible reasons why your HVAC system no longer provides you with the heat you need.
A Thermostat Issue
A thermostat problem is a simple yet common reason why a heating system stops working. For instance, if the temperature setting is incorrect, the system might blow cold air instead of warm air. When the thermostat malfunctions, it fails to communicate with the gas furnace or heat pump, leading to inconsistent heating or the system not turning on at all.
This problem might cause the heater to not work properly, leaving homeowners uncomfortable during colder months. Checking the thermostat’s settings and replacing the batteries often helps fix this issue. However, if there’s a more technical problem, calling professionals may be needed.
Poor Airflow
Poor airflow can prevent a heating system from blowing hot air. Clogged air filters are a frequent culprit behind this problem. Dirty air filters restrict the amount of air reaching the heat exchanger, causing the system to overheat or shut down.
A malfunctioning blower motor can also reduce airflow, preventing the home heating system from efficiently circulating warm air. Regularly replacing air filters and inspecting the blower motor help maintain proper airflow and prevent the system from blowing cold air instead of hot.
No More Fuel
When the heating system runs out of fuel, it stops working completely. For gas furnaces, the gas supply is essential for generating heat. A gas valve issue or a gas leak can interrupt the fuel supply, causing the furnace to stop producing hot air.
In such cases, refueling or repairing the gas valve restores the system. Additionally, monitoring the fuel supply and checking for potential gas leaks ensures the heating equipment keeps blowing air at the right temperature.
No Electricity
If your heating system is not receiving electricity, it will not work. A tripped circuit breaker, faulty wiring, or power outage can disrupt the electrical supply to the furnace or heat pump. Sometimes, the blower motor will stop running, which prevents the system from blowing warm air.
Resetting the circuit breaker or addressing electrical issues resolves this, allowing the home heating system to function again. Since both natural gas and electric-powered systems require a reliable power source, loss of electricity means the heater cannot operate as expected.
Pilot Light Problem
If the pilot light of your gas furnace goes out, it won’t be able to ignite the natural gas to produce hot air. Dirt or debris in the chimney exhaust flue may block proper ventilation, causing the pilot light to extinguish.
A faulty gas valve can also disrupt the pilot light, resulting in the furnace blowing cold air. Relighting the pilot light or calling a heating repair service ensures that the furnace starts blowing warm air again.
If You Have a Heating Problem, Call Fiscor Plumbing & Air
Whether you have a clogged air filter or a malfunctioning heating system, our skilled HVAC technicians will find a solution. Fiscor Plumbing & Air offers an array of professional services for Arizona homeowners, including heating repair to fix problems directly, heating replacements for when your system is too old, and thermostat services, too. Call us today to learn more and to schedule one of our services.