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Will You Experience These Common Heating Problems?

Shivering cold

In our last post, we explained why most people lose their heat whenever there is a power outage. But, of course, that’s only the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to reasons why your heat stops working.

While there are many types of malfunctions that can cause your system to operate poorly (or not operate at all) most of the problems outlined below are not only quite common, but relatively easy and inexpensive to fix.

Tripped circuit breaker or power switches turned off

If your heat stops working, these are among the first things you should check. First, it often happens that the power switches for the heating system have been turned off by mistake. Simply turn the electrical switches back to the “on” position and your problem may be solved.

If that’s not the problem, going to the circuit breaker box and flipping the proper switch may be all you need to get your system running again, but please keep this in mind: A circuit breaker rarely ever trips for no reason. If this happens once and never happens again, consider it a fluke. But if this happens more than once, you should contact a professional for service, as this could be a sign of a serious problem.

Faulty thermostat

Many instances of heating systems not working can be traced to the thermostat, which sends a signal to your boiler or furnace to generate heat. But these signals may get erratic if the wiring is deteriorating. A build-up of dust inside your thermostat is another common culprit. You may also need to change the batteries in your thermostat.

Dirty air filters and improperly balanced dampers

If you have a warm-air furnace, change or clean the filter on a regular basis during the heating season. Dust and dirt are the natural enemies of your furnace; a dirty filter compromises efficiency and can even cause your furnace to shut down.

If you are experiencing uneven temperatures from room to room, your system dampers may be unbalanced. Adjustments are needed to improve air flow through your duct system. Another common problem with ducts is air leakage. You should call in a professional to do an inspection of your duct system.

Boiler problems

Boiler systems, also known as hydronic systems, heat water for circulation around your home. Heat is radiated through either radiators or baseboard convectors. Boiler systems are more complex than warm-air furnaces because there are more parts, valves and controls.

When problems do occur, they are usually related to the expansion tank or water circulation pumps. Fixing these types of problems should be left to a professional. One thing you can do is to make sure your boiler has the proper water level. If the water level is too low, your boiler may shut down.