Heating And AC Repair Company Tips: Common Residential Heating Problems | Fort Worth, TX
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Imagine your HVAC systems failing while thermometers are hitting 30 °F or lower? No one would like to undergo this. Although you would be lucky to find a heating and AC repair company offering services during winter, it would be difficult for them to get to your place immediately due to the weather conditions. Depending on the situation, you may be forced to wait for a while or even days to access the services, leaving you and your family in the cold.
That’s why it’s advisable to have your HVAC system undergo a tune-up in autumn. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to encounter any problems in the middle of the winter. Some issues with your heating system are easy to troubleshoot while others need to be resolved by a professional from a licensed heating and AC repair company.
It’s important to have heating issues identified and fixed promptly, especially if you have a family. In this blog post, we’ve comprehensively covered major heating problems that may rear their ugly head during winter to help you understand and, if possible, resolve these heating problems.
Continue reading to know whether you need to fix the issues on your own or reach out to a heating and AC repair company in Fort Worth, TX, for furnace troubleshooting.
Heating System Won’t Switch On
There is no word to describe the feeling when your furnace fails to turn on immediately after you’ve switched the thermostat to “heat.” Your first thought will be that your furnace has just died in the middle of the icy winter.
Don’t panic; sometimes, your heat pump or furnace may not be doomed. In some circumstances, it could be a minor issue preventing the unit from turning on. Before rushing to conclusions that your furnace is dead, it’s important to note that some problems that may cause it not to switch on could be:
- No Power in The Heating Equipment
To balance the motor and run the ignition, heating units and even gas furnaces need electricity. Lack of power in the heating system prevents the furnace from activating. Your heat pump could be switched off, or the problem could be due to an external power switch on the heat pump, air handler, or furnace and, in some cases, a tripped breaker.
Therefore, it is vital to check all power sources linked with the furnace to confirm they are correctly set before starting the system again. If the furnace still won’t turn on and there is no power outage immediately place a service call to a certified heating and AC repair company.
- Unlocked Access Door
An open blower compartment door could explain why your furnace won’t switch on. This is to prevent fire hazards and damage to accessories in the blower. Therefore, inspect the panels on the unit’s exterior to ensure they are sealed tightly when your heat pump is not starting.
- No Power in The Thermostat
The thermostat relays information from your home to the heat pump. So, the lack of power in the thermostat means that it won’t be able to command the system to start-up or shut down.
In such instances, you can start by checking the thermostat display to see if it is switched on and any error messages. If you encounter a blank display, you can inspect the batteries to see if they need a replacement and examine the electrical connections to ensure they are taut so the thermostat can relay data. If there is nothing odd, you can check the breaker controlling the area.
- Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat is not set correctly, the furnace may not switch. Regularly check your thermostat to ensure that it is on the “HEAT” setting and inspect the programmed temperature settings. Also, update the time and date on the thermostat to keep the unit operating.
Furnace Producing Cold Air From Vents When It Operates
There’s nothing more enjoyable than a lovely, cozy home when temperatures drop. But it can be vexing if your heating system cannot keep up with the cold, and you end up wrapped in a blanket with teeth chattering as you wait for professionals from a heating and AC repair company in Fort Worth, TX, to arrive and resolve the problem. This could be because the furnace is emitting cold air because of some of the issues below:
- Shut Gas Valve
This problem is experienced by individuals using a gas furnace. A shut gas valve happens when the heater has not been used for a long time or due to a leak. This prevents the furnace from receiving the fuel that’s necessary for combustion to generate heat.
You can examine the gas valve to ensure it’s in the proper position. If the valve appears to be stuck in an off position, you will need to contact a heating and AC repair company to replace it professionally.
- Incorrect Blower Fan Settings
Surprisingly, this could be the reason you could be experiencing cold air in your house. For starters, there are two settings on blower fans; “ON” and “AUTO.” The “AUTO” switches on the blower fan during heating or cooling cycles while “ON” ensures the fan runs continuously.
So, if you notice chilly air coming from the vents, the blower fan could be set to “ON,” hence blowing cold air at times. You can simply fix this issue by switching the system fan to “AUTO.”
- Faulty ignition
Damaged ignition systems cannot generate the flame necessary to burn heating fuel and warm your house. Although many factors could cause ignition issues, the primary culprits include malfunctioning components and unlit pilot lights.
Some DIY enthusiasts try to utilize the manual to resolve ignition problems by following the directions. Still, it’s advisable to work with a professional from a reputable heating and AC repair company in Fort Worth, TX.
- Large Duct Leaks
If there are significant leaks in the duct, large quantities of heat will escape into other spaces. This causes the unheated air to be drawn into the vent lines, making air moving into rooms cold.
Such heat loss will also increase your electricity bills. To identify and resolve such leaks, it’s vital to have artisans from a renowned heating and AC repair company pressure test the system, locate and seal leaks.
- Dirty Air Filter
To sieve air appropriately, the furnace filters need to be clean. If they are clogged or dirty, they block airflow, reducing the amount of heated air that’s propelled via ducts into your house.
To avoid this issue, it’s wise to inspect the HVAC filters monthly and have them replaced by technicians from a qualified heating and AC repair company when they are dirty.
- Insufficient Heating Fuel.
Almost 48 percent of households in the United States have furnaces that use natural gas, while some use liquid propane or heating oil as fuel to burn and generate heat.
Therefore, if your furnace runs low on fuel reserves, it won’t produce the required heating response. This is a no-brainer, simply refuel the system or contact your gas company to inquire about damage to lines or utility outage.
Noisy Furnace
When the furnace is operating, it produces some gentle noise. However, if you notice irregular noises or some new sounds, then you should beware of some of these furnace problems below:
- Damaged or Unlubricated Motor Bearings
Ensure your motor bearings are lubricated annually so that they can operate silently. If you notice that the motor bearings are damaged, then they must get replaced.
- Fan belt problems
There is usually a belt inside the furnace that links the motor and the fan. If you notice that the system is releasing a squealing sound, you can either tighten or contact a heating and AC repair company for a replacement.
Other causes of a noisy furnace include
- Out of place panels
- Ignition issues
- Fan belt slippage
Water Pooling Around Heating Equipment
Conventional furnaces do not produce condensation during heating. But they are designed with a secondary heat exchanger that absorbs the high temperatures from exhaust fumes to give gasses additional time to cool and become condensate.
Although these most-efficient furnaces are eco-friendly, they can destroy equipment and lead to water damage due to condensate leaks. When you see water pooling around your furnace, it could be due to the reasons below:
- Humidifier Leak
Homeowners with a whole-home humidifier may notice puddles near the HVAC if the water supply or drain lines leak. You can inspect the water line for any dripping, and if present, you can have it replaced to fix the water problem.
- Clogged or Leaking Condensate Drain
Condensing furnaces have a tube, drain pump, and main drain line that could leak water. In such cases, it’s hard to detect where the water is coming from. It would be wise to schedule a service call with a professional heating and AC repair company to have the components inspected, clogs removed, and some components installed, if required.
- Cracked Secondary Heat Exchanger
A crack or split to the secondary heat exchanger, especially in a condensing furnace, may allow water to escape the condensing unit and drain into the furnace instead via the proper drain line.
This creates a dangerous situation, and a replacement by an experienced expert from a heating and AC repair company will be necessary to protect your family from carbon monoxide exposure.
- Faulty or Incorrectly Installed Flue Pipe
Conventional furnaces have a flue that’s designed to move exhaust fumes out of the home. But if the flue pipes are too damaged, sloped, large, long, or clogged by debris, gasses can stay in the place for some time to convert into water.
When this condensation leaks and pools, it forms a puddle. You should immediately seek the services of a licensed heating and AC repair company when you notice moisture has accumulated around your flue pipe.
Furnace Does Not Ignite
Furnaces that are set correctly and adequately powered turn on immediately after the temperature set on the thermostat has been reached. If the furnace fails to ignite, then your house will not receive any heat. Explained below are some of the reasons why the furnace won’t ignite.
- Damaged Ignitor
In the long run, igniters are subjected to wear and tear, hence the damage. This causes them to malfunction, hence failing to turn on the furnace. You should have a professional expert from a heating and AC repair company test and replace the ignitor when this happens.
The technicians will use a multimeter to test for electrical conductivity and replace the malfunctioning components.
- Improper Installation of The Ignitor
Ignitors are not standard and vary depending on the make and model of furnaces. Therefore, if the wrong ignitor is mounted in your HVAC system, the voltage will not be appropriate, causing system failure. If your furnace is failing to ignite, you can check the service logs for your system if the igniter has been replaced.
If you notice that it was replaced recently, you can check if the installed igniter matches the recommended unit for the furnace. If it doesn’t, or there is no information, you can contact a heating and AC repair company in Fort Worth, TX, to inspect the component.
- Dirty electronic ignition
When ignitors produce a flame, carbon usually accumulates on the unit and eventually dirties the surface. This causes the furnace to generate a repetitive clicking sound and fail to ignite.
Some folks may resort to cleaning the ignitor by themselves, but this is a wrong move, considering how delicate igniters are. Always hire a professional heating and AC repair company to clean the ignitor and inspect it for any damage.
- Damaged Limit Switch
The function of limit switches is to turn off the ignitor inside the furnace when the internal temperature rises. But, if the limit switch is damaged, it disrupts ignition. Also, airflow blockages and dirty air filters result in overheating, pushing the system to shut down prematurely.
You can begin by replacing your furnace filter, but if it fails, you can contact an HVAC technician from a recognized heating and AC repair company in Fort Worth, TX, to check if the limit switch is damaged.
Heating Issues? Contact A Heating and AC Repair Company in Fort Worth, TX
At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, we ensure residents in Fort Worth, TX, and beyond are cozy and warm through our fast, efficient, and reliable services.
Our heating and AC repair company is staffed with a team of NATE-certified technicians who help our clients avoid issues with their furnace or heating system. We also help with AC installation and repair, indoor air quality, geothermal solutions, and emergency repairs.