What to Do When Your Heating System Doesn’t Start
With the winter season not far off, and temperatures already low here in Massachusetts and Connecticut, having a plan for losing heat isn’t only a smart idea in this region, it’s a must-know. Nothing is worse than losing heat in the middle of a freezing-cold night. If you find that the heat is suddenly not working in your home, don’t panic. Your boiler or furnace may not be the problem, and some common causes for heat loss can even be resolved without an emergency HVAC service call. Before you turn to the experts, there are a few steps you should take to see if you can resolve your no-heat problem quickly on your own. However, when in doubt, always give us a call!
Steps to Take to Resolve Loss of Heat
Make Sure You Have Enough Fuel in Your Tank: If you heat with oil and schedule deliveries on an as-needed basis, check the gauge on your fuel storage tank to make sure it’s not empty. There are many factors that could cause your fuel usage to fluctuate, leaving you with less than you expected. Running out of fuel completely can pose a serious safety risk to your home and family. If your tank is empty, call your oil provider immediately for a fill-up.
Check Thermostat Setting: Regardless of what kind of thermostat you have, make sure that it is set at the desired temperature with the correct seasonal setting. If you use a programmable one, check that the heating (or auto) function is on and that the cooling function was not turned on by mistake.
Inspect Your Filters: Replacing or cleaning your unit’s air filter regularly is necessary for effective operation, as buildup inside the system can restrict airflow. Have this routine measure taken care of easily by scheduling regular maintenance visits with a licensed HVAC technician.
Check the Circuit Breaker: Check that the circuit breaker is on and that the breaker for your heating system has not tripped. If the breaker to your heating system has been tripped, reset the breaker.
Circuit breakers often trip for safety-related reasons. If you’ve reset the breaker and the issue has not been resolved, contact Noonan Energy, and our electrical department can help.
Turn Switches to On Position: Check that all system and emergency switches are on. This includes the power switch on the side of the heating unit itself as well as the emergency switch located either on a wall near your heating unit or at the top of your basement stairs. If the switches are on and your heat is still not working, press the RESET button on your system only one time.
If you go through all these steps and still don’t have heat, call us for assistance.