Heating systems encounter trouble every winter, and prudent homeowners shouldn’t delay when their system refuses to function in the middle of the freezing cold. Low temperatures dominate the weather this time of year in the Scarsdale, NY area, and the longer one waits to address a heating issue, the colder and less comfortable the home becomes. The sooner the issue gets resolved, the better. 

At the same time, however, many seemingly dire problems actually have simple solutions, which any homeowner can apply without having to call in an expert. It pays to do a little troubleshooting before incurring the cost of a technician to come out. Three areas, in particular, should be checked and verified before picking up the phone.

1. The electrical system. Most heating systems rely on electricity to run certain components, even those that use gas and other types of fuel. A power surge in the electrical grid could shut the system down, even when there’s nothing wrong with it.  Check the breaker box to see if the switch has been turned, then reset it and let the heater run to see if the problem repeats. If it doesn’t, the problem is solved.
2. The thermostat. Thermostats rarely run into repair problems, but sometimes family members might reset it or adjust the controls without informing anyone else. Check the thermostat to make sure the settings are as expected.
3. The vents and filters. Closing numerous vents in the ducts can keep hot air stuck in the furnace, as can filters that haven’t been changed in a while. The system may shut down automatically to prevent key components from becoming overheated. Replacement filters can be purchased at any home improvement centers, and opening all of the vents will restore the flow of air.

For anything more serious, turn the system off and call the professionals at Yost & Campbell Heating, Cooling & Generators for quality heating repair!

Tags: Heating Repair, Scarsdale
Monday, January 2nd, 2017 at 11:00 am | Categories: Heating |