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When the winter weather arrives, the chill can certainly be felt throughout the house. In many cases, this scenario shouldn’t be too stressful—unless, of course, your heater isn’t working. In San Antonio, the cold always comes as a shock when it hits, and Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company is here to make sure your heater is ready for the change.

From the air filter to the pilot light, let’s cover some possible quick fixes for your heater, so you can feel warm and toasty before the true cold front kicks in.

When Your Heater Is Not Working, Check the Thermostat

When it comes to figuring out what to do if your heater is not working, first things first: check your thermostat. Your thermostat is the control center of your heating system. To start, make sure that your thermostat is set to heat instead of cool. (These things can sometimes get switched off by kids or your spouse.) Set the thermostat to 5 degrees above room temperature and see if it turns on. If your thermostat runs on batteries, you’ll also want to ensure that the batteries are working. Keep in mind, it’s a good idea to replace the batteries once a year. You can also open the thermostat to see if there is debris clogging it. If so, gently brush it away.

Check the Pilot Light

If your furnace has a pilot light, you want to make sure it’s still lit. If you don’t see a flame, there may be an issue with the thermocouple. The orifice could also be clogged, or your flame might be too low. In some cases, when none of these pilot issues are to blame, there may be an issue with the safety valve. Safely try to relight the pilot or if that doesn’t work, seek out the help of a professional. If your furnace is a newer model, it might have an electronic ignition. In this instance, you’ll need to reset the unit by turning off the system at the main power switch. Then, reset the ignition control at the furnace. If this works, you’ll then see the glow of the surface ignitor.

Change the Air Filter

When an air filter is dirty, it can cause several problems. Essentially, a dirty air filter will block the return of airflow to your furnace. With less air to blow out, you’ll be left feeling cold! Additionally, because the furnace with a dirty filter has to run longer to heat your home, this can cause it to overheat and shut down. A good rule of thumb is to check your air filter every month to two months and replace it if it’s dirty.

Make Sure the Gas Valve is Open

If someone has opened the gas valve to conduct a repair, there’s a chance they shut it off and did not turn it back on. When the gas valve is off, gas won’t enter the furnace, which means nothing will burn and there will be no heat. To fix this issue, all you have to do is turn the gas valve back on. Remember, the handle to do this should run parallel to the gas pipe.

Fixing your heater before the true winter chill sets in is always a good idea. If you’ve tried the tips above and are still wondering what to do if your heater is not working, your best bet is to call for the professional help from a service provider.

If you need to schedule your heater repair service in San Antonio or just need a heater tune-up, feel free to reach out to Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company today. We’re always here and happy to serve you.

From the Air Authority, A Riteway Service Company team, thanks for reading! Here’s to a warm winter season ahead.

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