• 21 Dec, 2022
• Review1
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What to Do About Heat Not Working and Other HVAC Issues

It is the understatement of the year to say that it is stressful when you have an issue with heat not working. It always seems that a furnace problem happens on the coldest day of the year. Here at Aspire Heating & Cooling, we know how important it is to get your heat working quickly. We’re experienced with diagnosing problems, and no matter what the problem might be, we can get you up and running again.

First…Have You Changed Your Filter Recently?

Before you give us a call, check your filter. One of the most common reasons people have to call for HVAC repair is a dirty air filter. Filters are easy to change and do not require any special knowledge or training. As much as we appreciate your business, this is an issue you can fix yourself if you want to. Of course, if you’re unsure about changing your furnace filter, we are happy to come out to check the filter and show you how to change it.

The problem with a dirty filter is that it restricts airflow. With restricted air flow, your HVAC unit will overheat. This causes the unit to automatically turn off for protection. So, your HVAC system might be blowing air, but it isn’t heated air.

We recommend changing your filter every few months. If you have pets, you’ll need to change it more often. You should change cheaper filters every month, while a more expensive filter can last longer. A furnace repair technician from our team can recommend a specific brand and how often you should change it.

Common Issues with Your HVAC System

While changing your air filter is an easy fix, we often see issues with heat not working that require a professional. Whether you have a heat pump or furnace, we can help you determine why your heat is not working properly. We’ll start by inspecting your entire HVAC system to look for common problems. These problems include:

• The pilot light has gone out
• Your circuit breaker is tripping
• Holes in the ductwork are causing too much heat to escape
• The motor’s bearings need replacement
• You have a blown fuse
• There is a faulty or dirty flame sensor
• The fan belt has broken or slipped

This is just a short list of potential problems. We won’t stop until we find the culprit in your case.

An HVAC system has a lot of parts that need to work together to heat your home. Sometimes, we see a domino effect, so several parts have failed at once. In general, the longer you go without having your HVAC system repaired, the more likely it is for problems to snowball. If you suspect an issue, call us ASAP.

Do You Need a New Thermostat?

Often, HVAC problems with heat have nothing to do with your actual furnace or heat pump. Instead, it is an issue with the thermostat.

Some thermostats require that you manually change from cooling to heat and back again as the seasons change. Others sense the temperature automatically. This is the first thing to check, however. If you have no heat, is your thermostat turned on and set to heat instead of cool? You should look to see if there is a heat mode and cool mode setting on the thermostat.

Another thing to consider, if you need a new thermostat, is whether you would like to have a programmable thermostat. We can link these to your smart devices, such as Alexa, or to your smartphone. They can even have sensors in various rooms to better manage the temperature in certain areas of your home.

A number of other thermostat problems can also cause you to have no heat. These include:

• The thermostat is dirty, so it isn’t sensing the temperature correctly.
• You have an older thermostat and it isn’t level. Mercury bulb thermostats need to be level to work.
• The thermostat is in a poor position in the house, where it is near a door, window, exterior wall, etc. These things can skew the temperature in that specific area, even though the majority of the house is hotter or colder.
• The installer didn’t wire your thermostat correctly. We see this most often when homeowners or inexperienced handymen try to install a thermostat for the first time.

Keep in mind also that thermostats sometimes just break. You’ll need to replace your thermostat occasionally, just like other items around your house. Luckily, this is a fairly easy and inexpensive fix that doesn’t require anything drastic such as replacing your furnace.

Replacement Versus Repair

A broken thermostat might be an easy fix, but sometimes you may have a problem with the main unit. Of course, that means a more expensive fix. Here at Aspire Heating & Cooling, we’ll never recommend replacing your HVAC system if a repair makes more sense.

On the other hand, we will also never recommend a furnace repair if it makes more sense to simply replace the unit. Here are a few reasons why our technicians might recommend replacement:

• Your repairs are going to cost more than a new unit. Most parts such as flame sensor, heating element, belt, etc. will not cost more than replacing the unit. However, if you have multiple issues, this might be the case.
• You have a very old HVAC system. Sometimes, repairs will cost less than replacement, but the unit is so old that other parts may soon malfunction as well. In this case, our technicians might recommend replacement. However, they’ll outline the costs for repair as well.
• The repair isn’t a permanent solution. Sometimes, usually in older units as well, a repair is just a band aid on a bigger problem. If this is the case, and the repair isn’t going to be worth your time, we’ll recommend replacement.

What we’ll never do is recommend replacement if a repair is the better solution. Some HVAC companies jump right to replacement because they want to make more money. We think this is an unethical business practice and will only sell you a new HVAC unit if it actually makes sense.

Heating Bigger Spaces – Add a Mini Split Unit

Sometimes, your unit isn’t blowing warm air or not turning on. Instead, it is just not able to keep up with your heating needs. If you feel cold air blowing from your vents, this might be the problem, especially if you’ve added onto your house since you installed the current furnace.

Did your convert a garage or attic? Do you have an enclosed a porch for a heated sunroom? Did you add square footage to your floor plan with an extra room? These home improvements can mean that your HVAC system just can’t keep up.

You can replace your furnace with a larger unit. However, we often think the best course of action is to add a second smaller unit instead. We can easily install a mini split (also called a ductless unit) to provide heating and cooling to a specific area of your home. This kind of zonal heating means that your current gas furnace or heat pump system will be able to properly heat the rest of the house.

A mini split does not require vents and ductwork, so it is easy to add to almost any room. You simply need an exterior wall. The good news is that mini split units can provide air conditioning as well as heat.

Many people find that a mini split unit causes their gas or electric bill to drop. Your main system will not have to run constantly trying to keep up. So, even though you have a second unit, it can be more energy-efficient.

It’s best to install a mini split in a room or rooms that you can close off from the rest of the house. We can take a look at your layout and figure out where a mini split unit would make the most sense and if this option is right for you. Of course, if you would rather upgrade to a large main HVAC unit, we can help you there as well.

Avoid Heat Not Working and Other Problems with Regular Maintenance

You can avoid most HVAC problems if you get regular furnace maintenance. Our maintenance package catches minor potential issues before they cause major problems. Twice a year, our NATE-certified technicians will look at your condenser coil or burners, coolant level, flame sensors, vents, ductwork, drain line, filter, and more.

If we find any issues, you’ll receive a 15% discount on repairs needed. Our maintenance plan customers also receive priority scheduling and a chemical coil wash for your air conditioner as needed. Because we are inspecting your system on a regular basis, you have peace of mind that everything is clean and functioning properly. This service ensures that we can catch small issues that are easy to repair, before they become large problems that may be expensive to repair.

Best of all, our maintenance plans are perfect for improving your air quality. A clean HVAC unit will help you breathe easier. We can even install an air filtration system or air scrubber/sanitizer like the iWave, which kills mold, bacteria, and viruses. With flu season upon us and viruses like COVID-19 wreaking havoc across the country, clean air is more important than ever. Learn more here.

Financing for Qualified Buyers

If you do need a new HVAC system, but are stressed about a large bill, we can help. We provide assistance with finding financing for your new unit. Along with traditional financing, we can also help you learn more about Microf, which is a lease-to-own option for people who do not qualify for other loans.

Our financing team can answer all your questions about whether or not you may qualify for a loan. While we can’t guarantee financing availability, we’re able to help most people. At the very least, we can answer your questions about the options available.

Additionally, we can help you learn more about whether or not you qualify for furnace repair or replacement through your home warranty or homeowner’s insurance. In some cases, your insurance or warranty may cover your service call. If a natural disaster, such as a tree falling on your outdoor unit, causes damage or malfunction of the system you may qualify for insurance coverage.

Why Choose Aspire?

With so many HVAC options available, why should you hire Aspire Heating & Cooling? Here’s what sets us apart from the rest:

• We provide 24/7/365 service, and you’ll never get an added fee for overtime or “after hours” calls.
• Our technicians are NATE-certified, which means they have passed national tests to prove they have the knowledge needed to diagnosis, repair, and install HVAC systems.
• We offer honest pricing before the job begins. You won’t get a surprise bill at the end.
• When we leave your home, it will be in better condition than when we arrived. We never leave you with a mess to clean up after we finish the repair.
• Our solutions are personalized based on your specific needs. Every home is different, and there is no one right solution for every HVAC system.
• We are a local, family-owned business and are proud to serve our community with reliable and trustworthy service.

When you hire Aspire Heating & Cooling, you aren’t just another number to us. You’re a part of the family, and that’s how we treat you. We take pride in customer satisfaction. In fact, here are some reviews from recent customers:

“Rob did a great job explaining all information and on the repair. The company totally stood behind their previous work and made my current repair at no cost which I was not expecting, I will use Aspire for all my future needs and will tell all my friends how honest and professional they were.” – Serenah

“We have been using Aspire for 4 years now at two different homes. Great quality service and a professional staff. They have repaired our systems and even replaced one. Would highly recommend them, if you are in need of an HVAC company.” – Ben

“Aspire came out earlier this year to repair my heating/air conditioning. They were always on time and very friendly, knowledgeable and professional. My systems were very old; so, they had to return a few times. Unfortunately, both my systems went down at the same time. They came out the following day to get one of them going. (They will be replacing the other one shortly.) I have a great deal of respect for each individual I have either met or spoken to. (especially JC) They worked hard, including long hours, to take care of my repairs. They are a great bunch. of folks. I would recommend them at the highest level.” – Beth

You can read more reviews here. Ready to schedule your appointment with a member of the Aspire team? Fill out the form above or click here to contact us. We’ll have your heat back again in no time.