Heater Not Heating? Here’s Why.

When it gets cold outside, it’s your furnace that keeps your office nice and comfortable. A heating unit is a complex machine that consists of many parts like the gas valve, pressure switch, burners, and so on. These parts all need to work together in harmony to efficiently provide your building with heat. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a heater to suddenly stop working. When that happens, there are usually a few reasons why the system malfunctioned.

Why Your Heater Is Not Heating

The truth is that the reason your heating system is not working can range anywhere from simple to complex. It may also depend on what type of furnace is heating your office. That’s why it’s always best to rely on a certified professional for your commercial heating repair needs, rather than attempt to repair the equipment on your own.

Before you get on the phone with a service provider, however, there are a few things you can check on that may provide an answer as to why your heater won’t ignite. Having this knowledge also helps you give your technician useful information that can shorten the service process. Here are a few of the most common reasons why furnaces break down.

Lack of Maintenance

One of the most common reasons why furnaces stop working is because they aren’t properly taken care of. Just like your car, your heater needs to be maintained every once in a while. Maintenance ensures that all of the parts in your machine are operating as they should be. It’s recommended that a heating system be serviced once every six months, or at least once a year. The best time to schedule maintenance is in the fall before the weather gets too cold and in the spring.

Dirty Furnace Filters

Air filters separate out contaminants like dust and dirt to keep the air you breathe clean. For an air filter to work, the dirty air needs to be pushed through the filter. Over time, as these contaminants are collected, the air filter itself becomes dirty. A clogged air filter can block the flow of air and reduce the amount of heat passing through your vents.

Problems With the Thermostat

Thermostats can be a little tricky, especially now with more advanced digital ones. Many people who have furnace problems simply don’t have their thermostat set correctly. All you need to know is that there’s a measurement for current room temperature, a number for the desired temperature, a setting for the fan, and a setting that switches your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit from air conditioner to heater.

Make sure the thermostat is set to heat and the fan is turned on or on auto. Then take a look at the desired temperature. The number for desired temperature needs to be above what the current room temperature is.

Pilot Light Is Out

If your building has a gas furnace, then it uses something known as a pilot light. This is a component that emits a small flame inside your furnace that’s kept lit at all times. When you turn the heat on, gas is released and the pilot light ignites that gas to create heat. A pilot light that is dirty or faulty can interrupt the fuel that’s feeding the flame, resulting in the flame going out. Without that flame, heat can’t be created.

Too Much Gas

Another common issue associated with gas furnaces is the amount of gas being used. Manufacturers have specifications for how much gas their equipment should be burning. The system is normally adjusted during the installation process.

If a heater is burning more gas than recommended, one of two things is going to happen:

You’re going to be overspending on gas this winter.
The furnace overheats, causing it to cycle on a limit switch.

Don’t Be Left in the Cold

Winter is coming—make sure your heater continues to work optimally when you need it the most. A&G Services specializes in delivering high-quality mechanical services, including preventive maintenance. As your partner, our highly trained technicians can check on your system to ensure it remains operational through even the harshest winter temperatures.