Believe it or not, the heat in Texas and Oklahoma will end in a couple of months and you may be turning on your heating system soon. Here are all the service problems you might encounter with your heating system.

3 Common Heating System Issues

With the previous two winters Oklahoma and Texas have both experienced, the last thing you want to be dealing with in late January is a malfunctioning heating system. While some common issues are easy to resolve on your own, others will need the assistance of HVAC professionals.

1. Heater Won’t Turn Off

A heater that won’t turn shut off is perhaps a less concerning issue than a heater that won’t turn on at all, but still an issue nonetheless. Thankfully, this problem can be an easy fix if the issue is coming from your thermostat.

First, double-check the thermostat control to see if the heating system has accidentally been set to “on” rather than “auto.” When your HVAC is set to “on” it will continue to run until it’s turned off. When it’s set to “auto” it will run until the inside climate has reached the temperature set on the thermostat. If your heating system is set to “on,” set your desired temperature and switch the system to run on “auto” instead.

If this quick fix didn’t resolve your issue, there may be a problem with the thermostat itself. Make sure that your thermostat is plugged in properly, and try resetting the system per the manufacturer’s instructions. If your system continues to run, the thermostat may need replacing.

Or, the trouble could be with your system’s blower. If you inspect the blower and it appears dirty, it may have been clogged. For help cleaning and unclogging your blower, don’t hesitate to reach out to the HVAC team at Caldwell Mechanical.

To recap, a heating system that is always running is likely due to:

• Faulty thermostat or thermostat setting
• Clogged or faulty blower

2. No Heat, Or Cool Air Comes Out of Vents

No matter what kind of heating system you have, warm air disperses from the system throughout your home through a series of connected air ducts. While leaky ducts may be the culprit of your home not heating, try these quick fixes first to see if your problem gets resolved.

• Thermostat: Once again, there could be a problem with your thermostat settings. Ensure that the thermostat has been set to the right temperature, and is on “auto,” not “fan on.” When a thermostat is set to “fan on” the system will blow non-heated air through the fan.
• Air filter: Cool air coming out of your vents could also be an indicator that your air filters have collected debris and dust. Check the condition of your filters, and if you haven’t replaced them in over three months, be sure to do so. Dirty filters can make it challenging for a heating system to run properly, and may result in cool air.
• Pilot Light: If you have a gas oven or water heater, you may have needed to relight your pilot light in the past. Similarly, a non-heating system’s pilot could have gone out.
• Air Ducts: Lastly, check for leaky air ducts. After turning on your system’s fan, head to the attic and inspect your ductwork. If you feel any blowing air, your air ducts could have a leak.

3. Burning Smell

When you first turn on your system in late fall, you may notice a burning smell. While this is normal for a little while as dust and dirt clear away from the system, also be sure to check your air filters again.

However, if the smell lasts for more than a few days or a week, do not leave the system on and contact your Oklahoma or Texas heating service repair specialist at Caldwell Mechanical for a free consultation.