Nobody
likes Monday mornings. After a long weekend of relaxing and enjoying life
outside of work, the early alarm is something most of us wish would go away.
It
becomes even worse when you walk into the office and find cold air blowing on
you on a cold, blustery winter morning.
Even
if your furnace is fairly new, there are still things that can go wrong and
cause potential problems. Some are an easy fix and you can have things back to
normal in minutes. Others you will be required to call in a professional.
If
you walk into your building and face cold air this winter, here are the most
common things that may be wrong.
1.
A change in the thermostat setting
If
you have an office like most, the differences in body temperatures can vary
greatly. One employee is too hot, the next is too cold. They bring in sweaters,
space heaters, fans – anything to try and control the temperature in their
individual spaces. On occasion, an employee will be too hot one day as the
sunshine spills into an office, and they will turn the thermostat fan setting
from auto to on. With the fan running continuously without providing heat, it
can send a cool stream of air into the area. Check the setting – it may be as
simple as switching it back to auto.
2.
Low batteries
Another
common problem is having low batteries. If you can’t remember when you last
changed the batteries in your thermostat, trying changing them. Low batteries
can prevent temperature changes, leaving the HVAC system in weekend mode.
3.
Computer glitches
If
you have a newer furnace that uses an electronic control panel, you may have to
reset the system. Think of this in the same manner as rebooting your computer
when you have glitches to the system. A fresh reboot may reconnect and start
the system running again.
4.
Pilot light
If
you have an older furnace, the pilot light may have gone out. This can happen
for a variety of reasons, from a gust of wind to unexpected activity near the
furnace. If you are comfortable, you can try relighting the pilot light
yourself.
5.
Dirty filter
When
was the last time you changed the air filter? Dirty air filters can impact
furnaces in a variety of ways, including turning off the burner when the system
is overloaded. Try changing the air filter and rebooting the system.
6.
Faulty valve
If
the pilot light won’t light, you may have a problem with the gas valve. If you
haven’t cleaned or maintained the system in a while, dirt and debris can
accumulate. Have a HVAC professional completely clean and check your system to
find the underlying cause.
7.
Faulty ignition
If
you have a newer furnace with an electronic ignition, the system may need
adjustment. This problem requires maintenance from a HVAC professional, and can
easily be found and repaired.
8.
Leaking ducts
Your
HVAC system has many components to make the system work efficiently, including
the duct work. As it ages, holes and cracks may form especially around the
joints. If hot air escapes, it can impact the entire building’s temperature,
giving false readings back in the control panel.
9.
Oil filter
If
you have an oil fired furnace, the oil filter could be your problem. Just like
an air filter can clog with dirt and debris on a gas fired system, the same can
happen with an oil filter on an oil fired furnace. While you can clean or
replace the filter yourself, it is a messy job, one that is part of routine
maintenance when you hire a professional.
10.
Flame sensor
Do
you occasionally find your vents blowing warm air, yet it quickly turns to
cold? That kind of behavior can make you question if a problem truly exists. In
many cases, this stems from a faulty flame sensor. If the flame sensor is
covered with grime or simply worn out, it can cause the burner to shut off
before its completed the process. Cleaning or replacing it will bring the
system back into working order.
Have
additional questions about your HVAC system? Give us a call today. We would be
happy to answer any questions you may have, and help you determine the next
step in making your building’s heating and cooling needs more efficient.
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