Heating
Heating repair in San Antonio, TX

Your heating system works hard throughout the Texas winter months to keep your home warm when the weather outdoors turns chilly. However, with dozens of different parts and components inside the system, there’s always a chance your system may malfunction. When this happens, it’s important to understand what may cause the problem you’re experiencing and when to call a professional for repair service. Some issues within the system are minor and may cause inconvenience and discomfort while others can be catastrophic and damaging if left unrepaired.

1. Hot and Cold Spots Throughout the House

A good heating system should provide even airflow to each vent in your home without making some rooms hotter and some rooms colder. If you suddenly experience areas that are different temperatures than others, you may need to schedule professional repair services. These hot and cold spots could be a sign that your furnace is unable to keep up with the heating demands of your household with the system struggling to heat enough air to reach a desired temperature in the house. Air duct leaks, gaps, and clogs can also cause inconsistent temperatures. Your technician will thoroughly investigate to find the proper solution for hot and cold spots in your home.

2. Insufficient Heating

Insufficient heating, where you can’t get your home to the ideal temperature, can be caused by a variety of factors. The blower may not be working as it should, causing less warm air to blow out of the system. You may need your thermostat calibrated so that the true temperature matches your device. You could also have trouble with your ductwork, causing less heat to arrive at the vents.

3. No Air Coming Through the Vents

When no air comes out of the vents, one of our technicians will inspect the blower as the most likely source of the issue. If your blower isn’t working, the warm air produced inside the furnace isn’t forced into the ductwork to be dispersed throughout the home. Faulty ductwork may also lead to a lack of airflow.

4. Cold Air Instead of Heat

Cold air from the vents is an immediate sign that you need help with your heating system. Cold air from your heating system may be caused by a lack of gas, which could be due to poor connections or, if you have a gas tank outside your home, an inadequate supply. Other factors that cause cold air instead of heat include dirty heat sensors, a blocked condensate drain, and an unlit pilot light.

5. System Doesn’t Power On

If you have no power to the system at all, it’s likely an electrical issue. Our technician will check your power supply, ensuring the wiring and connections are secure and not damaged. If that isn’t the problem, we look over all the wiring within the heating system, looking for signs of fraying or other wear.

6. Strange Smells From Your Heating System

You should not detect any type of odor from your heating system while it’s running, save for a light hot odor the first time you power the system on for the season. This smell is caused by dust and debris heating up and burning off inside the furnace. Any other unusual smells require prompt diagnosis by a professional technician to prevent malfunctions and safety hazards.

7. Loud Banging or Clanging Sounds

Loud banging and clanging sounds indicate a malfunction inside the heating system. The only sound you should hear while the furnace operates is a light mechanical hum and the sound of air flowing through the ducts and vents. Beyond this, any pops, squeaks, or bangs should be immediately addressed to ensure your system is safe and reliable.

8. Rise in Utility Costs

Increases in utility costs during the winter occur when your heating system no longer runs efficiently. This may be caused by added stress on the system as it ages. However, if you have a newer system, you should look for potential causes of the increase in heating bills. A dirty system works harder to pump out heat. In addition, worn and damaged parts increase the strain your system takes on to produce adequate heat.

9. Short Cycling

Short cycling occurs when your furnace runs more often than usual but at shorter intervals. Your system may run for a few minutes and then stop before your home is adequately heated. This problem happens when the system overheats, shutting down the furnace before it becomes dangerously hot. You might also have issues with your thermostat. Finally, short cycling happens when your heating system is too large for the space you’re heating.

10. Decrease in Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality is a symptom of a dirty furnace. Dust and other contaminants build up inside the furnace and air ducts, leading to contaminated air that makes your home less comfortable. Our technicians will inspect the inside of your furnace for dirty conditions and may replace your filter.

11. Pilot Light Color Change

Your furnace’s pilot light should burn bright blue when conditions are ideal. Although we don’t often look at the pilot light, you should contact us immediately if your light is yellow. This yellow color might indicate a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas that causes severe illness and even death if left unchecked. Gas leaks can also lead to explosions. If your pilot light isn’t blue, call for professional help right away.

As heating system experts, our technicians are prepared to diagnose any problem you experience with your furnace. We’ll take the time to thoroughly investigate so that we find the source of the problem and make the proper repairs, avoiding unneeded parts and labor costs. In addition to repair service, we are your trusted source for annual maintenance to help prevent many of the problems your system may face if left without preventative tuning. Over time, some parts simply wear out. However, with maintenance, we can often make adjustments, clean the system, and tune certain components to prevent excessive wear and tear while spotting trouble signs early before they shut down your system.

San Antonio Heating Experts

At Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company, we’ve worked hard to create a professional company that our customers can trust with their heating services. In addition to heating repairs, we’re also skilled in heating and cooling repairs, maintenance, and installations. Our crews have advanced knowledge in ductless air conditioning systems and heat pumps as well, making us the top local experts for your systems. We also offer ductwork services such as sealing, repair, replacement, and cleaning. Count on us for indoor air quality services, water heaters, and generators as well. We can help you take control of your home comfort and convenience with a single phone call.

At the first sign of a problem in your heating system, call Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company in San Antonio, and we’ll tackle your heating repairs with quality, courtesy, and professionalism.

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