You may have the best boiler or furnace on the market in your current home, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t, at one point or another, experience problems with your home heating system.
Heating problems you can experience
Problems with your home heating system are not all that uncommon and there can be numerous heating system problems that one experiences. These include:
Dry air in your home
Drafts and cold spots throughout your house
A carbon monoxide leak
A heating system that cycles
A heating system that is not functioning properly
However, experiencing these problems does not necessarily mean that it’s time to call for service. You may be able to solve the heating issues on your own.
Ways to troubleshoot your heating problems before calling for service
If you feel like your home has a lot of dry air (which is related to a heating problem and is problematic for woodwork, flooring, furniture, electronics and those with respiratory conditions), try adding a whole-house humidifier.
Drafts and having rooms in your home that just don’t get warm or stay warm are a common heating system problem. If your home feels drafty clear your vents from being blocked by household items like rugs, curtains and furniture. You may also want to add extra insulation in addition to door sweeps, caulking and weather stripping to your windows.
Make sure your carbon monoxide detector isn’t leaking. Not only is a carbon monoxide leak related to a heating problem, but also it is incredibly dangerous. It is recommended that you change the batteries in your detectors every six months and get new detectors every five years. Every floor in your home should have a carbon monoxide detector and there should be one outside all of your home’s bedrooms.
If your heat is continuously shutting off and then going back on (otherwise known as cycling) check your thermostat to see if it’s working properly and change your air filter.
Your air filter may also need to be changed if your vents aren’t blowing any air.
Check your heating fuel levels. If you’re running on the low side or are out, contact us to schedule a replacement delivery.
Make sure all power switches are set to “on” or start”. If you have a system with a pilot light, make sure the pilot lights are lit.
An oil-fired boiler or furnace may need to be reset via the red burner switch. To avoid a flood of oil, don’t reset the button more than once.