Troubleshooting 3 Important Areas of Your Houston Home’s Heating System

Service calls for your heating system can be expensive in the Houston area, especially if they fall outside of regular service hours. With the following tips, troubleshooting heating system problems can be relatively easy, and you may avoid the hassle and expense of calling a professional when your heating system malfunctions.

Check the Air Filter

Open the heating system’s filter housing and inspect the air filter. If it’s excessively dirty or clogged, replace the air filter. A dirty or clogged filter can make the system run inefficiently, reducing the amount of heat produced. It may even prevent the system from running at all due to tripped safety switches.

Check the air filter at least once a month during the heating season, and make sure you have the system inspected and maintained at least once a year.

Test the Thermostat

Make sure the thermostat has power and fresh batteries, if required, and double-check all settings to make sure they’re correct, especially on programmable models. Turn the thermostat up to activate the heating system, and if nothing happens, check the breakers for the system. If the thermostat still isn’t working, check for a blown fuse, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Check the Igniter or Pilot Light

If your system has an igniter, shut off the gas reset valve, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on. If the igniter still isn’t working, replace it or call a professional.

If you have a pilot light, make sure the pilot is lit. If there’s no flame at the pilot light, make sure the heat sensor, or thermocouple, is close enough to the flame to keep the pilot lit, and test it for proper operation. Replace the thermocouple or call a professional if problems continue.

Sometimes troubleshooting heating system problems is best left to a professional. Contact the home heating experts at Davis Air Conditioning & Heating for all your home comfort needs in the greater Houston area.

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