Heating Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks
The tips below can solve many minor or common problems with your system. If you’re unsure why your system is malfunctioning, contact us for assistance. Most of the following repairs are temporary solutions you can apply while waiting for our technicians to comprehensively inspect your heating system.
Heating Troubleshooting
The display on my thermostat is blank. Is it broken?
Replace your batteries. If that fails, check the condensate overflow safety reservoir on the furnace or air handler. If it’s filled with water, suction it out and reinstall the safety switch. Finally, check and reset the breakers.
My furnace isn’t heating. What do I do?
Verify your thermostat settings and ensure they are switched to heating mode. Also, confirm the temperature control selector is set below room temperature. Next, check the air filter and replace it if needed. You should also check the breakers to ensure they’re not tripped. Finally, if you have a gas furnace, make sure the gas valve on the furnace is switched on. If it was off, reset the breaker by turning it off and then on again.
My outdoor unit makes some unusual noises on cold nights. Is something wrong?
Usually, there’s no need to worry. On cold nights, a heat pump’s outdoor coil can freeze and needs to defrost to maintain its heating efficiency. During this process, the system might switch modes and produce loud “whooshing” sounds, which are completely normal.
My outdoor unit’s fan goes off and on when in heating mode. Is that okay?
Not usually. On cold nights, the outdoor coil on your heat pump can freeze, which must be defrosted to maintain heating efficiency. While defrosting, the heat pump can make a “whooshing” sound that indicates it’s working as it should.
Why is smoke/steam blowing out of my outdoor unit?
This is common during the defrosting process and is nothing to be concerned about. As the process progresses and the fan turns on, a sudden burst of steam often rises.
Why is there a lot of water around the bottom of my unit?
This isn’t usually a cause for concern and doesn’t always indicate a leak in your system. If you’ve just finished the defrosting cycle, this is often melted ice from that process.
Is it important to perform maintenance service on my air conditioner in the fall/winter seasons?
Absolutely! Because we typically use our air conditioners throughout the year here in Florida, keeping your system in good repair is imperative. Scheduling biannual maintenance appointments will help keep your heating/cooling costs down and minimize wear and tear on your components.
I don’t know what temperature I should set my thermostat to for cooling and heating.
You should set your temperature settings to something comfortable for the members of your household. For most people in the region, that means between 76° and 78° for cooling and 68° and 70° for heating.
None of the above suggestions have solved my heating problem.
There are many problems that the previous tips can’t solve. You may have a blockage, broken component, leak, or other issue requiring more thorough inspection and repair. When your system won’t work as it should, contact Del-Air Heating and Air Conditioning to schedule a service appointment. While you await our arrival, relocate to a warmer area of your home or, if necessary, an alternate location such as a hotel or somewhere you can remain comfortable.
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