The Quad Cities area is notorious for freezing-cold winters that can leave you cranking up the heat to stay warm and comfy inside. The lower the temperatures drop, the harder your heating system has to work to keep your home comfortable.
But one day, you notice it’s a bit colder inside. You go look at the thermostat and it’s several degrees lower than what you’ve set it to. Your heater isn’t running, and now you’re left wondering what went wrong.
The good news is that there are a few common reasons this happens, and some of them are easier to fix than you might think. Before you assume the worst, let’s take a look at what could be keeping your heater from kicking on and when it’s time to call in a professional.
Thermostat Issues
When you’re dealing with any sort of HVAC system failure, the thermostat should always be the first thing you check. Someone may have accidentally bumped the system, turned it off, or changed the settings without realizing it. Make sure it’s set to heat and that the temperature is higher than the current room temperature.
Many thermostats also use batteries that can die without much warning. If the screen is blank, flickering, or not responding like it normally does, try replacing the batteries and see if that solves the problem.
Pilot Light Out
Gas furnaces have pilot lights that stay lit to ignite the burners when the heater turns on. When it’s working properly, you should be able to see a blue flame through the viewing window on the furnace. If that flame goes out, the burners won’t ignite and your heater won’t turn on.
A pilot light can go out because of a draft, a buildup of dirt, or a failing thermocouple that’s no longer sensing the flame correctly. While some systems allow you to relight the pilot yourself, if it won’t stay lit or you’re unsure what you’re doing, calling a professional for emergency furnace repairs is the safest way to get your heat back on.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
Your heating system needs electricity to run, even if it’s powered by gas. If a circuit breaker trips, your heater may not turn on at all. Head to your electrical panel and look for a breaker that’s flipped to the off position or sitting in the middle.
Reset it and see if the heater starts back up. If the breaker keeps tripping, that’s a sign of a deeper electrical issue. The circuit could be overloaded, or the breaker could just be failing. Whatever’s causing the problem, be sure to contact a professional for help.
Clogged Air Filter
Heating systems use air filters to pull pollutants out of the air supply before air is redistributed around the home. When your filter becomes clogged with dust, dirt, hair, pet dander, or other debris, it will restrict airflow and cause the heater to shut down as a safety precaution.
As a general rule of thumb, your air filters should be replaced every one to three months, depending on the type of filter you use and how much dust or pet hair is in your home. Swapping out a dirty filter is a quick, inexpensive fix that can restore airflow and help your heater turn back on without any further issues.
Dirty Burner
Heating system burners are responsible for igniting the fuel that creates heat for your home. Over time, dust, soot, and other buildup can collect on the burners and interfere with proper ignition. When burners are dirty, your heater may struggle to start, produce uneven heat, or fail to turn on at all.
Cleaning burners requires training and the right tools, so this is one issue best handled during professional maintenance to keep your system running safely and efficiently.
Internal Component Failure
As your system ages and experiences greater wear and tear, internal parts of the system can fail. From the blower motor to the ignition system and control board, any one of these components can keep your heater from turning on when it stops working properly. These parts handle critical functions, like moving warm air through your home or telling the system when to start and stop.
Internal system failures can become costly repairs the longer they go unresolved. If your heater is struggling to turn on or shutting down unexpectedly, ignoring the problem can lead to more damage and higher repair costs down the road. A professional inspection can pinpoint the exact issue, prevent further wear on surrounding components, and help you decide whether repair or replacement is the right choice for your home.
Call Schebler Heating and Air for Quad Cities Emergency Heating Services
At Schebler Heating and Air, we’ve seen it all. We understand that you can’t afford to be without reliable heating in the middle of a long, cold Quad Cities winter.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 563.239.6171 when you need emergency heating repair services in the Quad Cities area. Whether you’re in Bettendorf, Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, or any of the surrounding communities, we arrive as quickly as possible to provide you with the emergency service you need to stay warm and safe this winter.