Although it’s not ideal to have heating troubles in the middle of winter, it happens. To help get the most out of your service call to the local repair center, and help the repairperson work on your unit once he or she arrives, you may want to try to troubleshoot the problem before making a service call. Experienced HVAC professionals can get a decent idea of what may be wrong with a good description of the problem, so it may help you get faster heater repair than if you were to call and tell the company that your heater is acting funny but you have no clue how to explain what’s wrong.
Check the Thermostat
You can start by troubleshooting your thermostat. The thermostat is the component responsible for signaling that a heater or air conditioner should turn on or off. If the thermostat is messed up, your heater may not turn off and on at the appropriate times, making your home hotter or cooler than necessary. If your heater runs extensively due to a faulty thermostat, it can also run up your electric bill. You can conduct a troubleshooting check by resetting the thermostat to a temperature a few degrees above room temperature.
Wait and see how long it takes the heater to kick on and check if it stays on until it reaches the designated temperature, turns off prematurely, or runs above the designated temperature. Let the repair center know that there seems to be a problem with your thermostat when you call to help them expedite your heater repair service.
Filters and Vents
If your heating system doesn’t seem to be dispersing heat as well, you should check your filters and vent system. Filters catch dust, dirt, and other debris every day. It’s important that you not only change your filters regularly, but keep the filter grate free from dust and dirt. A dirty filter will slow down airflow and prevent your system from working efficiently. You should also insure that your venting system works well. If there is a blockage or damage, it can backup airflow and prevent your heating system from heating your home. You won’t need heater repair if it’s simply your filters, but you may need a HVAC professional to check out your vents.
To find out more about winter heater repair, visit R A Heating.
