Why Should You Be Testing Your Heating Systems

There’s no better way to appreciate your heating systems than to have them go out on one of the coldest days of the year. This type of outage is uncomfortable, stressful and often expensive.

Most of us have had this happen before and want to do everything we can to avoid having it ever happen again. One way that you can avoid such an emergency is by testing and preparing your heating systems before cold weather arrives.

Further, by knowing a little bit about how your system works and some common problems that might arise, you can make sure that you and your heating systems are prepared for colder days.

Being Aware of Thermostat Problems

Sometimes when your home is not heating properly, it’s actually not an issue with your heating unit but rather is a problem with your thermostat. The thermostat is like the brains of your heater.

It tells the system when to run and how much to heat your home. If your thermostat is having problems, it can’t properly communicate with your heater. So if you’re having problems, it’s always a good idea to first check the thermostat.

You’ll want to make sure that it has working batteries, that it’s on and that it’s programmed properly. Oftentimes, a simple miscommunication from the thermostat can leave you with a cold house, so it’s a good idea to know how to check and program your thermostat to avoid such an issue.

Checking the Circuit Breaker

Another common reason that your heater isn’t working is issues with the circuit breaker. If you think this is the problem, there are a few things you can look for in your electrical panel to help you determine whether this is, in fact, the issue.

If you smell something burning, if the circuit won’t stay reset or if the circuit looks to be old, there’s a good chance that this is the problem. Identifying any circuit breaker problems before cold days is an easy way to avoid an emergency service call this winter.

Locating a Blown Fuse

Depending on the type of electrical panel that you have, a blown fuse could be the source of your heating problem. Thankfully, these are also easy to detect.

If your heater is not working, check your fuse box. If you see a burn on the panel, melted wires or off-color class, you likely have a blown fuse.

While these are easy to replace, it’s important to have your unit checked to determine if there is an underlying issue that caused the fuse to blow. Again, testing your heating system before the coldest days of the year can often help you identify any such problems and allow you to resolve them before you’re left shivering in a cold house.

We hope that you’ll test your heating system as soon as possible to identify any issues that you might have as colder days approach. Further, if you identify any issues, call Comfort-Air Engineering Inc at (210) 494-1691. We’re available 24/7 to handle any heating issues you have.