4 Common Winter Heating System Problems
With temperatures dropping, winter heating system problems can crop up at any time. Be sure you have plenty of blankets if something does happen.
Even if your heater worked perfectly last year, it may have a few hiccups this year. Let’s learn more about common problems heaters have during the winter.

4 Common Winter Heating System Problems
1. Inconsistent Heating
Walking from a warm room to a chilly one can be irritating. While this could certainly be a result of a malfunctioning part or heating system, it could also be a problem with your home. Look around doors and windows for holes or cracks, and ensure your weatherstripping is intact. You could have a problem with your insulation.
If everything looks properly sealed and insulated, the system’s coils or filter might be dirty. Uneven heating can also be a result of grimy air ducts or clogged vents. Check the filter and get your system cleaned to see if that solves the problem.
2. Heat Cycling
If you notice your heater is turning on and off far more often than usual, this is called heat cycling. Heat cycling lowers system efficiency and raises your utility bills, so even if you think you’re getting enough heat, you’ll want to get your heater fixed as soon as you can.
Heat cycling can indicate an excessively dirty blower or filter, or it could be the result of a malfunctioning thermostat.
3. Carbon Monoxide Leak
Whether your heater is brand new or a decade old, install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Carbon monoxide can easily go undetected if you solely rely on human senses. It’s tasteless, colorless, and odorless, and it can be deadly in the right amounts.
Have your furnace inspected just in case. Or, if your carbon monoxide detector catches a whiff of carbon monoxide, exit the home and call a professional immediately.
4. No Heat
When your heating system isn’t warming your home at all, it could be due to a number of problems. Before you check anything else, look at your thermostat to make sure it’s working and has fresh batteries.
If you have a heat pump, it could be struggling with the winter weather. Be sure your heat pump has defrost settings to keep the ice and frost at bay. If it doesn’t have the right settings, you’ll have to clear the ice and frost yourself.
For a furnace, if your pilot light isn’t on, check to see if it has a steady power source. If not, there may be a bit of gunk and grime in the assembly, and you should call a professional to carefully clean it out for you.
When your pilot light is on but you’re still experiencing a loss of heat, you may have problems with the main burners, gas valves, control board, or flame sensor. An HVAC specialist can detect the problem and offer the best solution.