The problem of insufficient heating can typically be sourced at a home’s furnace or heat pump, leaving homeowners scrambling for a quick fix. Often, the best way to address this issue is to troubleshoot your heating system.
In this guide, we’ve provided some of the most common problems you may experience in troubleshooting furnaces and heat pumps. If none of these fix your problem, it’s highly recommended that you get in touch with our team at Smart Air. We’ll send a technician out as soon as we can to keep your home comfortable.
What to check for when troubleshooting furnaces
Here’s what you should check for when troubleshooting your heating system.
The filter and if it needs to be replaced
More often than not, heating troubleshooting starts with checking the condition of your heating system’s air filters.
Air filters are used to block any dirt, particles, or bugs from entering your home. Depending on the thickness and the material of the filter itself, this debris can be as small as a grain of sand or dust. Having a proper air filter ensures that the heated air that goes into your home is clear of any contaminants.
Homeowners must clean or replace their air filters regularly. However, if left to accumulate debris for too long, airflow can become restricted and, even worse, cause the furnace’s parts to overheat and develop strange odors.
The pilot light and if it isn’t on
If you’re doing gas furnace troubleshooting, it’s important to check that the equipment’s pilot light is on. Any issues with the light will cause the furnace to not work as expected, often making it seem as if it won’t turn on.
Whether something’s blocking the system’s air intake or outdoor unit
If you find that you aren’t getting proper airflow, something may be obstructing the system. When it comes to how to troubleshoot furnaces, make sure to check your heating system’s vents, especially the ones that connect to the outside of your home. These vents (typically the exhaust and intake) are covered with a mesh screen that can easily get blocked.
If you own a heat pump instead of a furnace, the outdoor compressor can easily get covered by grass, leaves, or snow. Clean off the debris and, if needed, replace the screen. If you find ice on your heat pump’s unit, carefully melt the ice off before contacting one of our technicians for help.
Contact Smart Air if your heating system needs fixing
These are just a few ways to troubleshoot your heating system. If you suspect a more severe problem or you find a bigger issue while troubleshooting furnaces or heat pumps, contacting our team at Smart Air is the next best solution.
