Welcome to the New Year! But that means we’re still in winter. In fact, we’re heading into the coldest stretch of the season.
A big part of my job as an HVAC blogger dog—at least during winter—is to make sure people have the info they need to stay comfortable. Even with my own permanent fur coat to help me stay warm, I’m no stranger to how bad things can get in a house that won’t heat up when the heater’s running. If this is what you’re dealing with, I can shed some light on what might be happening—and what you can do about it.
A clogged air filter
This is probably the most common reason for a furnace or heat pump to struggle at warming up a house. The filter needs to be routinely changed out for a new one. Depending on the type of filter, this could be anywhere from every month to every six months. If you forget to change it, it will become so congested it will cut off airflow. It’s not much more different than when you have a congested nose. Low airflow means not as much heated air getting around the house and not enough warmth.
Busted thermostat
The thermostat controls when your heater and the fan turn on and off. If the thermostat isn’t working right, it may be turning the heater off too early. Don’t just turn the thermostat up higher to try to get more heat—you’ll want the problem solved. Professionals can recalibrate the thermostat, or fix its connections, to ensure it operates to deliver the comfort you expect.
Worn-down blower motor
The blower motor powers the fan that circulates air through the ductwork in your home. It does a ton of work each year, and if it starts to wear down, the air circulation will suffer, and so will comfort. Have a professional change the motor.
Undersized system
Is this your first winter with a new heater? The problem may be that you bought the wrong size system, and the heater can’t keep up with demand. This can often happen when you rely on amateurs to find a heater. Our professionals always make special load calculations to ensure the heating system we put in can do the job. Unfortunately, if you have an undersized heater, your only choice is to have it replaced.
Over-the-hill heater
The problem may be that your heating system is simply worn out and no longer up to the job. This will eventually happen to all heating systems, even with the best in regular maintenance. When a heater is over 15 years old is when it may be past its prime. If you have a heater this old and can’t get the house warm enough, talk to our HVAC installers and they’ll find the ideal replacement.
In cases where you need professional heater repair in Knoxville, TN, our great team will come running. All you have to do is whistle! (The phone works, too.)
Stay warm,
Olive