Heater Repair Homeowners Need to be Aware Of

Winter in Texas can have such crazy temperature variations—34⁰ yesterday, 67⁰ today, and 36⁰ tomorrow. It is a good thing you have a great heater/furnace. What’s that? You haven’t thought about how good it is? If you are wondering, here are some of the most common heater repair problems to watch for.

1. Dirty Filter. Yes, even though it is mentioned all the time, filters still get dirty and homeowners still forget to change them regularly. Clogged filters can cause several noticeable problems. Most commonly, it can slow the flow of air, allowing less hot air to move throughout the house. That’s not good! You might also notice an excess of dust on surfaces, as it finds its way past the air filter.
2. Odd Odors. If your furnace burns fuel, it is vitally important that you notice any usual smell. Natural gas and propane have an odor additive to alert anyone close by of a leak. A localized smell might indicate a problem with the burner or thermocouple. If you burn fuel, make sure to maintain a carbon monoxide detector. This byproduct of combustion is an odorless gas, capable of poisoning your family unaware.
3. No Heat. If the blower motor is moving air, but the air is not hot or not hot enough, there might be a number of underlying problems. Simple things to check first are the gas valve, the circuit breaker, and the thermostat batteries. Fuel-powered furnaces can experience electrical ignition or pilot light control issues. Electric furnaces can experience a failure of the heating element. Both systems are susceptible to electronic sensor or switch problems.
4. Cycling Trouble. During a normal winter day, the furnace should cycle every 15 minutes or so; a few more cycles in extreme cold, a few less in mild temperatures. If your furnace runs continuously or too frequently in mild weather, the problem may be the limit switch or, again, the thermostat.
5. Blower Noise. The furnace blower will move the volume of your entire house every few minutes. If the motor squeals or roars it will need to be addressed; it could be as simple as lubing the bearing and it could be excessive wear.
6. Cold Rooms. If one or more spaces are too cold first check the supply vents; ensure that neither furniture, accessories, drapes nor rugs cover the vents. Check for gaps around windows that lead to drafts.

If you are experiencing problems keeping your home warm during cold, Texas days, call Mullinix and let us help you determine the needed Heater Repair Problems.

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