As the holidays approach it’s very likely you’ve already had to turn the heat on in your Lubbock, Texas home. Unfortunately for some, nothing happened when you turned the switch to heat. Whether your home is heated by a heat pump or a gas furnace, a breakdown means pulling out the space heaters until the HVAC service professional shows up. Let’s take a closer look at some common reasons why the heating system isn’t keeping your home warm.
MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN IGNORED
Armstrong Plumbing, Air, and Electric can confirm this is our #1 source of service calls during the winter. Many times, it’s because the lack of seasonal maintenance means your furnace is just plain dirty.
- A dirty blower motor leads to equipment failure. This is particularly true with the heat exchanger because a faulty blower motor doesn’t move enough cool air across the heat exchanger.
- Dirty air filters restrict airflow and in extreme cases can cause the furnace to shut down. Your filters should be changed every 90 days if not sooner.
- A dirty flame sensor can keep the burner from lighting. Without seasonal maintenance makes it more likely the sensor will be covered in a thick layer of gunk.
- When the burners themselves get dirty the furnace is not as efficient and may not work depending on how bad the problem is.
TOO MUCH GAS
Yes, this is an actual issue. All furnaces and gas heaters have manufacturer specifications for how much gas the equipment should burn. All devices must be properly calibrated during seasonal maintenance to meet those specs. If this isn’t done the furnace can stop working when you need it most.
FAULTY BLOWER CAPACITOR
While it sounds very technical, this device has a pretty simple function. It’s what starts the furnace when the thermostat says it’s time to turn on. When they wear out a dying capacitor can mean the furnace won’t turn on. Armstrong technicians always test the capacitor when doing furnace maintenance.
LOW REFRIGERANT LEVEL
This may sound silly when you are talking about heating but if you use a heat pump it must have the proper amount of refrigerant. That’s what allows the heat pump to transfer heat from the outside air into your Lubbock, Texas home.
INDUCER DRAFT MOTOR FAILS
This motor clears leftover gases from the heat exchanger. If it fails for any reason the entire furnace will shut down as a precaution—mostly to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Seasonal maintenance includes checking the draft to make sure the inducer fan motor is working properly.
CALL ARMSTRONG FOR HELP
Let Armstrong Plumbing, Air, and Electric work with you to make sure your Lubbock, Texas home stays comfortable this winter. Call now to schedule seasonal maintenance for your furnace or heater. For more great information be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
