There are several common heating system problems that may occur when we first change over our HVAC units to heating after months of asking it to pump out cold air.
Heating Trouble Warning Signs
We expect it to hum, take the chill out of the air, and work perfectly. We don’t expect to smell something burning. We don’t expect to see the ambient temperature on the thermostat hover at 50° or have the thermostat stick at 76°.
Some problems may require repairs or servicing. If your system has been dormant for several months, it has been gathering dust that collects on the coils and gets caught in the filter. Dust is that “something burning” you may smell when you first turn your system on. Be sure to change the filter and orient the new filter in the same direction as the arrows on the sides.
Beyond filter replacement, call an HVAC professional for a maintenance visit that may include cleaning the coils, checking the limit switch, and making sure the fan works correctly. A good HVAC professional will check the ignition or pilot light, the power to the furnace unit, thermo-coupling issues, and drafts or clogs in the system.
That cranky thermostat that just won’t budge could just be a faulty thermostat. A competent HVAC professional can check this quickly and efficiently. If the problem is not the thermostat, then the professional repair person must look deeper.
Maybe the fan blows like crazy, or maybe it goes on, then off, on, then off, but no heat comes out. That’s called “rapid cycling” and may indicate a problem with the limit switch.
Your furnace and AC may look like one neat unit, but they are two very different mechanisms. Regular maintenance is always a good idea, but when you need repairs and servicing, contact an HVAC professional.
If you have questions about your air conditioning unit, please call our team of HVAC professionals. In Port St. Lucie, call (772) 398-0023 and call (772) 220-1496 in Martin County.
