When your heater breaks down, it’s usually best to call a professional. However, some heating problems can be fixed by yourself before calling a repair tech. But if you are unsure what to do, contact Comfort Pro’s Heat And Air professionals.
A Burnt Smell
If your heater smells like burning, shut it off and unplug it as soon as possible. Then, check the air filter for dust and debris and replace it.
Thermostat Issues
Thermostats are a tried-and-true component of every home comfort system, helping to regulate the temperature and communicate your preferred settings to the rest of the HVAC system. But like anything, thermostats can sometimes experience issues that impact your indoor comfort. Fortunately, the majority of these issues are easy to fix and often don’t require professional help.
The first thing to check is whether or not your thermostat is receiving power. If it’s not, the issue could be as simple as a tripped circuit breaker or dead batteries. Check the breaker box to find the breaker that controls your thermostat and flip it to the on position. If it’s still not working, it’s time to call in an HVAC specialist.
Another common thermostat issue is a broken sensor. Thermostat sensors are responsible for sensing the ambient air temperature in your home, so if one of these is damaged or broken, it can lead to incorrect temperature readings. Depending on the type of thermostat you have, it’s important to read the manufacturer’s manual for guidance on how to access the sensor and determine if it needs to be replaced.
It’s also possible that your thermostat is simply out of calibration. This can happen due to dust accumulation or something accidentally bumping into the device, and it usually only requires recalibrating to correct. To test for calibration problems, place a thermometer in the same room as your thermostat and see if it matches the temperature reading.
Lastly, you may want to remove your thermostat cover and clean it. A buildup of dirt, soot, cigarette smoke, or dust can inhibit the proper functioning of your thermostat and can be easily cleaned using canned compressed air or a soft brush. You’ll also need to inspect the electrical components for signs of corrosion, loose wiring, or terminal screw issues that need to be tightened. DIY projects can be a lot of fun, but working with electricity is best left to the professionals. Contacting a local heating repair company will ensure that your project doesn’t turn into a major electrical disaster in your home.
Blower Issues
The blower is an essential part of the furnace that moves air through the indoor coil, creating even temperatures throughout the home. If you’ve noticed that the blower is unable to move any air or is making strange noises, it may need a replacement.
The first sign of a problem is weak or no air flow coming from the vents. The blower motor could be clogged, or it may be having problems with your air ducts. You’ll also need to check that the air filter is not so clogged that it’s preventing the blower from getting the air it needs.
If you don’t feel any airflow, turn off the system and disconnect the power from the blower. Then, you can remove the blower cover and take a look at the motor and fan wheel to see what’s going on. If you see a lot of dust on the blower and it looks like it’s aging, it may be time for a new one.
On the other hand, if you see a lot of grit or debris on the motor itself or in the fan wheel, it’s likely a sign that the bearings are bad and need replacing. You’ll need to consult a professional to determine what type of bearings your blower has, and if they need to be replaced.
You can also test the blower motor with a multimeter to see if it’s receiving the correct signal from the control board. If you measure 24v across the G and C terminals of the fan relay and still don’t get any airflow from the vents, there may be a problem with the thermostat itself or with the wiring between the control board and the blower motor.
Other signs of a blower issue include strange sounds or a burning smell. Screeching and squealing noises indicate that the belt is damaged or needs to be replaced while rattling and banging sounds suggest that a part has broken or disconnected from the motor. These issues can often be fixed by a technician, but some may require a replacement of the motor.
Faulty Heating Element
Several problems can cause your heating element to fail. These include corrosion, sediment build-up, and a lack of water flow. A faulty element can also be caused by incorrect installation or poor electrical connections. Incorrect terminations can result in high-resistance joints and reduce the life of your heater.
The best way to tell if your heating element is bad is to turn off the power supply to your electric water heater. Then, open the cover and look at the lower element. It should be bright orange. If it is not, you will need to replace it as soon as possible.
If you have a gas heater, check the upper element as well. You will need to replace this if it is not working as well as it should. To check the heating element, you can use a multi-tester to see if it is getting enough current. This will allow you to determine whether there is a problem with the wiring or if it is just the heating element itself.
The heating element is a cylindrical piece of nickel and chrome that converts electricity into heat by resisting its flow. It has a rating that indicates how much current it can carry and how hot it is capable of running. You can usually find this information on the packaging. If you are not sure what the heating element is rated for, you can always contact your water heater contractor near you to find out more.
Another common sign that the heating element is faulty is a lack of hot water. This is because the heating element is not able to transfer heat to the water effectively. The most common reason for this is mineral deposits and sediment build-up. This can block the elements and prevent them from conducting heat.
To fix this problem, you will need to flush your water heater tank. After you have done this, you will need to drain and rinse the water heater. You will then need to install a new heating element and reconnect the circuit wires to the new one. Be careful when doing this as the heating element has high voltage and should not be handled by someone who is not familiar with circuits or electrical testing.
Dirty Drain Lines
Your air conditioner’s drain line is the primary conduit that routes condensation away from your home’s outdoor condenser unit and discharges it to a safe location. If the line becomes clogged, it will overflow and can cause water damage.
To avoid this, the line should be cleaned and inspected regularly. During routine maintenance, a professional should also clear away any root growth that could be causing the line to become blocked.
The first step is to locate the drain line’s exit point. Trace the PVC pipe as it runs through your home until you find where it exits. It should be near your air conditioning unit and may terminate over a window well, basement floor drain, or another visible location. You should be able to access the outdoor and indoor sections of the line with a wet/dry vacuum hose attachment.
Look for the drain line’s cap, which is usually a screw-off or pull-off type of plug. If the cap is missing, remove it and visually inspect the line for blockages. It should have a P trap at the end, which helps to prevent odors from coming into your home.
The most common causes of a clogged drain line are fats, oils, and grease (FOG), which are liquid when poured down the drain but quickly firm up and cause a clog. Foreign objects, such as sanitary products, baby wipes, paper towels, facial tissues, so-called flushable wipes, extra-thick toilet paper, and other bulky items can also build up and clog your sewer lines.
If you see that your water is backing up into showers and tubs, or that sewage is flowing out of your toilets, it’s probably a sign that your sewer line has become clogged. If this is the case, you’ll need to call a plumber for emergency sewer repair services.
Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to clean the AC drain line and avoid a costly clog that can lead to water damage in your home. By pouring a cup of white vinegar into the line once a month, you’ll eliminate mold, mildew, and bacteria that can build up and clog the line.