Troubleshooting Central Home Heating Systems

As the winter chill dawns upon your neighborhood, your central heating system will see the most frequent use than any other time of the year. However, using your heater immediately after its long hibernation without checking it first might get it into trouble in the middle of the season. Here are some basic heater troubleshooting tips you can try:

Initial Inspection

The most notable sign of a failing or faulty heater is uneven or insufficient heat. If you notice it, the first place you should check is the thermostat, since it might simply have reset or someone might have adjusted it. Otherwise, check the main electrical panel, as your heating system might have blown a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker.

Air Filter

Should you notice that the heater is indeed working, just not efficiently, you might have a problem with dust or debris. In this case, turn off the thermostat and check the air filter for any obstruction. Clean and replace the filters, or you might have to buy a new one entirely.

Condenser

Look for your heating system’s condenser (in most central heaters, this should be located outside). Check the condenser for air flow problems like you did with the air filters, and clean it accordingly as well. There might be weeds or vines working their way through your condenser; make sure they are removed.