Central heating problems

Like or not, winter is here in Northern Kentucky, bringing colder temperatures and potential central heating problems. Some furnace issues can be handled by a homeowner, while others are better left to the professionals.

The Furnace Won’t Turn On

Thermostat – Look at your thermostat. A blank screen may mean there is no power getting to it. Check the batteries if your thermostat is battery-operated or your circuit breakers if it’s hardwired into your home’s electrical system. If it has power but there is still no heat, make sure it is set to heat instead of air-conditioning and that the temperature is set high enough to make it turn on.

Call a professional furnace repair company if you have checked the above items and the heat is still not working properly. The thermostat may need to be re-calibrated or replaced. When purchasing a replacement thermostat, make sure it is compatible with your HVAC system to avoid future issues.

Gas Boilers and Furnaces

Pilot Light – The pilot light must be lit on a gas furnace for it to provide heat. The flame should be blue in color and look strong. If the flame is blue, but small, you may be able to increase the height of it with the adjustment lever located near the pilot light. If the flame is weak or yellow in color, call a professional right away. A weak or malfunctioning pilot light can cause an increase in carbon monoxide in your home, which can be deadly.

If the pilot light is out completely, you can follow the instructions included on your furnace to relight it. If it refuses to relight after two tries, contact a furnace repair company because there is most likely an issue with the furnace or the gas supply.

Air from Furnace is Weak or Cold

Cold air coming out of your registers in the winter can occur for a few reasons. First, you may have the fan running all the time, which causes cool air to continue to blow when the furnace isn’t running. Check your thermostat to ensure the fan is set to “auto” so it is only running when the furnace is heating your home. Second, if you have recently switched to a heat pump from a gas or oil furnace, the air may feel cooler to you, but it is actually still heating your home. Heat pumps use slightly cooler air than other systems, but it is still warmer than the room temperature and provides heat. The last cause of cold air is a malfunctioning furnace, which requires professional help.

Weak air coming from your vents may be caused by a dirty furnace filter, which you can easily clean or replace, depending on the type of filter your furnace uses. Registers often get shut accidentally or blocked by furniture or other objects on the floor. Make sure your registers are open and clear of obstructions. Also check dampers on the main ducts near your furnace to make sure they are open. If you have checked these items and still have weak airflow, you may have blockage in your ductwork, which will need to be fixed by a furnace technician.

Servicing the following areas: Danville,Nicholasville,Versailles, Lexington, Harrodsburg, Stanford, Winchester, Lancaster and the surrounding areas, the professionals at ADA Heating & Air, can help you with all of your central heating problems, furnace repair and HVAC installation needs.

By | 2017-08-02T01:20:33+00:00 December 7th, 2016|Heating|Comments Off on Common Central Heating Problems

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