It always seems like your heater fails right when you need it. That being said, this is usually the least convenient time to deal with heater failure problems. It doesn’t matter if you are using a heat pump, electric heater, or gas furnace, equipment failure means that you and your family may go cold. Before you panic, make sure to check the different components to see if there is an easy fix. If not, rest easy knowing that Greener Solutions Home Services are here to help get your heater working. 

Reasons the Heater Won’t Heat

The most common reasons that a heater wont heat include:

1. Poorly maintained: A general lack of furnace upkeep is usually the problem behind most heater malfunctions. The heater will get dirty over time without use and proper cleanup which can lead to several serious problems down the line.
2. Dead blower capacitor: Capacitors are the mechanical component that helps start the furnace. When these start to malfunction, it can lead to more expensive parts failing. These are generally checked during regular inspection to ensure that parts are replaced early.
3. Low refrigerant levels: Having low refrigerant levels makes it difficult for the heat pump to work effectively. Heat strips to turn on too frequently could indicate low levels that need to be topped off otherwise you risk the compressor overheating.
4. Malfunctioning components: There are several components that can wear with age and lose functionality causing the heater to fail. Discovering which part is not working and why can only be determined with a thorough inspection of the mechanical parts.
5. Poor / loose wiring: The motors vibrate and over time wiring can become loose and connections can fall apart. When electrical current ceases to pass through electronic components, the heater will fail to start.
6. Bad inducer draft motor: This motor clears leftover gas from the heat exchanger. The motor can get dirty causing it to work heavier than it should resulting in early burnout.
7. Broken heat exchanger: Having a crack in the heat exchanger can cause a drop in heater efficiency and effectiveness. It will cause your heater to work harder which could also result in early burnout.
8. Collapsed or torn ductwork: Sometimes there is damage to the exhaust and intake ducting that could be causing the heater to lose effectiveness. This reduces the heater’s efficiency and creates a significant amount of unnecessary strain.
9. System turned off: Be sure to check the breakers and the system to ensure they are both on. Sometimes the solution is the easiest thing to overlook so ensure that the systems are both activated.
10. Thermostat: Thermostat malfunction or misuse can lead to poor heat, no heat, or no airflow. If the temperature is not being read properly, the thermostat could be off on when it should start. If the thermostat is broken, then the heater won’t know when to turn on.
11. Clogged air filter: Filthy air filters can suffocate air flow through an HVAC system. By not maintaining filters regularly by cleaning or replacing, the HVAC system will have to work extra hard to draw in air.
12. No gas supply: If your home is heated by a gas heater, the gas supply could be interrupted. This can be checked by seeing if other gas appliances are still working. If not, this could indicate a larger problem that may require some time before gas is returned.
13. Extinguished pilot light: A pilot light that keeps turning off could mean the ignitor source is dirty and needs to be cleaned. This should generally be done by a trained professional who knows the proper safety precautions to take to minimize the threat of damages caused by a gas leak. 

Trouble Shooting Tips

The following are the basic maintenance tips that homeowners can do with some effort and downtime.

1. Replace air filters: This is usually a matter of going online or to the hardware store and ordering a replacement. If you go into a physical store, be sure to bring the old filter in to size up the new filter properly. After a replacement has been bought, simply input the filter in the same way the old one was removed.
2. Inspect thermostat: By running through the different output modes, you can determine if the HVAC system is functioning as it should for all settings. If any of the settings do not start to produce the desired output, further inspection by a professional will be needed.
3. Check pilot light: If the pilot light is out and has difficulty staying lit, it could indicate that general maintenance needs to be done to clean the ignitor.
4. Check circuit breakers: This could easily be the problem if the motor keeps working overtime due to some new inefficiency. If the circuit breaker continues to blow, it is a sign that an electrical component is surging, and something needs to be address by a professional.
5. Check gas: If the gas valve is on but there is no gas supply, be sure to confirm with other gas appliances like the stove before reporting the gas stoppage. 

Things to Leave to a Professional

If the simple fixes don’t bring your heater back to life, it is likely a sign that you need some general maintenance and repair. This should be done by a licensed and trained professional like the experts at Greener Solutions Home Services. Our professionals will identify the problem and present the different solution options.

• Cleaning the ignitor: After several cycles, the pilot light ignition source will eventually get dirty and require a cleaning. This should generally be done by a professional to ensure that the safety of the heating unit is maintained.
• Cleaning or replacing sensors: There are several safety measures on heaters that are designed to be safeguards against catastrophic accidents. These sensors can get dirty and cause system failure.
• Checking wiring & electrical components: These are some of the most expensive parts of an HVAC system and it would be bold to try and fix these components without the proper training and tools.
• Replacing mechanical part: There are times when heater malfunction is caused by serious component failure. These components have to be replaced and the system has to be restored to previous function. 

Contact GS Home Services

If your home has started to experience lapses in heater performance when it is needed most, it could be signs that your heater is failing. Be sure to get a licensed and trained heating expert out to come inspect your heating system so we can repair any potential issues that may be causing performance to suffer. Greener Solutions Home Services is standing by so call today to get an appointment scheduled.

Why Wont My Heater Work FAQs