Why Does My House Heater Only Work Sometimes?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Dirty filters

are the most common cause of problems. Dust and dirt restrict airflow—and if the filter gets too clogged, the heat exchanger will overheat and shut off too quickly, and your house won't warm up. If the blower is running but no heat is coming out, replace the filter.

Why would heat stop working in house?


Dirty and clogged filters

are one of the primary causes of furnace problems and can cause high operating costs. The heat exchanger can overheat and shut off quickly when filters are clogged with dust and dirt. This also causes soot buildup on the heat exchanger, which makes your furnace run less efficiently.

What to check if your furnace isn't working?

  1. Change the furnace's air filter if it's dirty. …
  2. Check your . …
  3. Make sure the blower motor panel is shut. …
  4. Inspect your air ducts. …
  5. Make sure the gas valve is open.

What are the symptoms of a bad home thermostat?

  • Sign #1: Your thermostat has no power or is unresponsive. …
  • Sign #2: Your or A/C won't turn ON. …
  • Sign #3: Your A/C or heater runs constantly and won't turn OFF. …
  • Sign #4: Room temperature and setting don't match. …
  • Step #1: Make sure thermostat is on the right setting.

Why does my heat feel like cold air?

There are a few reasons your heat pump could be blowing cold air. …

Turn off the heat at the thermostat and check your air filter

. If it's dirty, change it! Make sure the thermostat is set to “AUTO”, not “ON”.

What would cause a furnace to not kick on?


Thermostat

. If your furnace is not kicking on, it can be an issue with the thermostat. You should first make sure that the thermostat is switched to the heating function. … You may also have an internal problem with your thermostat, which needs to be repaired by a professional.

Why is my furnace blowing cold air when the heat is on?

Your furnace may be blowing cold air

because the filter is too dirty

. A dirty air filter blocks airflow over the furnace's heat exchanger, causing it to overheat. When overheating, your furnace can trip a high limit switch, causing the furnace burners to shut off so that the heat exchanger does not crack.

How do you know if your heat is working?

Your gas furnace should show

no signs of wear, rust, soot

, or dirt deposits. When your furnace runs, the color of theflame inside the burner should be blue. If your gas burns yellow, this may indicate it's not getting enough oxygen and is creating carbon monoxide. Clean.

How do I know if my central heating thermostat is broken?

  1. Thermostat display is off or is non-responsive.
  2. Turning on the heat or AC does nothing.
  3. The heat or AC will come on, but either stays on nonstop or cuts out before the temperature setting is reached.

Is it hard to replace a thermostat?

Upgrading to a thermostat that automatically changes the indoor temperature setting is fairly easy, and it can trim about $180 off your annual heating and cooling costs, according to the EPA. Simple models that only control heat are sold at home centers for around $25.

How do I test my thermostat?

  1. Have your car on level ground and make sure the engine and radiator are cool.
  2. Open the car hood and find the thermostat. …
  3. Next, you will need to test your car thermostat. …
  4. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.

What temperature should the hot air be coming out of the vent?

The air coming out should be

14 to 20 degrees cooler than the air flowing in

. Move the thermometer to a vent in each room or area of your home. If any of the vents are much colder or warmer than another, there may be a problem with the ductwork, or the distance may be too great from the blower.

How warm is the air from a heat pump?

Generally speaking, a heat pump will produce air that is

about 55 degrees warmer than the outside air

. This isn't a problem when it's 55 degrees outside—your system will expel air that's a toasty warm 110 degrees or so.

How do you test a reversing valve?

When a reversing valve leaks, it leaks from the high side to the low side. To check for a leaking valve,

measure the difference in temperature between the suction line from the evaporator and the permanent suction line on the reversing valve

(usually the middle line on the bottom).

Can thermostat cause furnace not work?

Malfunctioning thermostat: A faulty thermostat can lead to problems with the fan or comfort levels. The furnace

doesn't heat at all

: A furnace that doesn't perform its main task may have problems with the thermostat setting, power, gas or the pilot light.

Where is the reset button on a furnace?

All furnaces are equipped with a reset button. They are generally red or yellow and are located

inside the blower compartment

. The reset button is a safety feature that will shut down the furnace when a problem is detected, often a hot or overheating furnace, before it trips the circuit breaker.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.