Your home should be a cozy haven when the temperature drops. But what should you do if your heater unexpectedly breaks down and how can you tell what caused it to stop working?

Many homeowners find themselves asking questions such as “Why isn’t my heater working at my home?” or “Why does my heater keep shutting off at random?” Heating issues are common among homeowners, and are often easy to remedy when one knows the reason behind them.

A broken heater can be more than just a nuisance, it can be hazardous as well. From 2014-2018, heating equipment was involved in 14% of reported home fires according to the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA.

A pipe breakdown can keep your home from being safe and warm, but regular maintenance and prompt repairs can often avoid breakdowns.

If you are looking for “heater repair near me” or “heating repair near me,” it’s important to know what might be causing the heater to not be working. Five possible problems, and how to deal with them, are presented below.

Lack of Regular Maintenance

The most prevalent cause of heating problems among homeowners is failure to maintain. If you’ve never had an annual tune-up, your heating system may be full of dust and debris that could lead to inefficiency or a no heat situation.

Potential Problems from Lack of Maintenance

• Dirty Air Filters: Air flow is restricted, resulting in over-working/overheating of the furnace and potential for system failure.
• Blocked Blower Motor: A dirty blower will inhibit your system from able to move heat into certain areas of your home and can cause some rooms to be colder than others.
• Flame Sensor is Dirty: A dirty flame sensor can be a reason for shutting down your heater shortly after starting it.
• Solution: Obtain a professional tune-up at least once per year. If you are asking yourself, “Why isn’t my house heater working?”, measures may need to be taken if it hasn’t been serviced in some time.

Thermostat Problems

Thermostat problems are one of the more common causes of heating issues. Your thermostat may be the issue if your heat is currently on, but not working.

How to Detect a Bad Thermostat:

• The heater fails to activate or deactivate when it should.
• Your house doesn’t feel like it is set to the temperature on your thermostat.
• No display shows or the display is frozen.

Solution: First be sure the thermostat is switched to “heat” and is calling for heat by setting the temperature higher than the ambient temperature in the room. Change the batteries if it is battery operated. Should this be the case, a technician will be able to determine if the thermostat is out of calibration or if it needs replacing.

Electrical or Power Supply Issues

Other times, it’s not the heater that’s the problem.

Frequent Electrical Issues:

• The circuit breaker has tripped, or the fuse has blown.
• Frayed or damaged wiring within the furnace.
• A bad capacitor for the blower, which helps to start the motor.

Solution: Make sure your circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. You should call someone for heating repair if your central heater refuses to turn on after you’ve reset the breaker or has begun making strange clicking noises.

Low Refrigerant Levels in a Heat Pump

Low refrigerant levels will impact your heating system’s ability to heat your home if you have a heat pump instead of a furnace.

Indications of Low Refrigerant:

• They are constantly turning on the heat strips, which raises the energy bill.
• It runs continuously, but, it doesn’t heat your home adequately.
• Ice forming on the outside unit.

Solution: A certified HVAC technician is able to look for leaks and recharge. This is something that should not be ignored as it will cause the compressor to overheat and failure that will necessitate costly repairs or will require your furnace to be installed.

Poor Ductwork Design or Installation

If you’ve had cold spots in your home or a lack of strong airflow, the issue may rest with your ducts rather than your heater.

Duct Problems As They Relate To Heat:

• Heat is lost through leaks in the ductwork before it makes it to your living space.
• Ducts that are not the proper size inhibit airflow and cause inefficient heating.
• Duct systems not designed properly can lead to short cycling and overheating of your heater.

The Fix: An experienced HVAC technician can detect and solve ductwork problems. Sealing leaks and designing your ducts properly can make a big difference in how well your home heats.

Why Timely Heating Repairs Matter

Prompt attention to heater problems helps avoid expensive repairs and replacements down the line. From small repairs to searching for “furnace companies near me” for a new installation, HVAC services keep your home warm and safe.

Heater Repair Services Albuquerque

If your heater is not working and you want dependable “heater repair near me” assistance, Day & Night Plumbing, Heating, Cooling can help.

Our skilled technicians are heating repair, maintenance and furnace installation experts who can help make your home comfortable throughout the year.