5 Common Heater Problems to Watch Out for this Winter

Wesco can help fix and prevent problems!

Your home’s furnace or boiler may have a track record of working well. But every year, it gets older. And that means problems are more likely, especially if it doesn’t get its annual tune-up.

As winter begins and you’re using your home heating system more, you may encounter problems with it. We’ve put together a list of some of the more common ones to watch out for, and simple solutions you can do yourself that might fix the problem without the need for a service call.

Common Heating Problems

Cold spots and drafts. Is there inconsistent heating in your home, where one room or part of a room just doesn’t get or stay warm? Do-it-yourself projects might alleviate the problem. Adding caulking and weatherstripping around doors and windows, as well as adding door sweeps, are easy weekend DIY jobs and can help reduce drafts greatly. Move furniture and draperies away from radiators, baseboard heaters and vents so heated air can circulate freely. Adding insulation if you don’t have enough can be a DIY project or you can contact a local home improvement professional.

Cycling. Is your furnace or boiler turning on and off a lot more often than it used to? Possible causes are a dirty air filter or a faulty thermostat. Check both, and replace them if needed. If cycling is still happening, get in touch with us.

Carbon monoxide leaks. This is not a problem to put off looking into. Carbon monoxide (CO) can be deadly for you, your family and your pets. There must be CO detectors on every level in your home (including the basement) and outside all bedrooms. Installing CO detectors can be a DIY project if you’re handy, but contact a local electrician if you’re installing hard-wired CO detectors and are uncomfortable working with electricity. Test your CO detectors yourself and replace the batteries every six months. CO detectors need replacing once they’re five years old. If your CO detector ever goes off, get everyone (including the pets) out of the house IMMEDIATELY and call 911.

There’s no heat. No heat in your home is understandably worrying in winter. But you might be able to solve the problem yourself without a service call! Try these troubleshoots before calling Wesco for service.

1. Do you have enough heating oil? If your heating oil tank is low or empty, call us for an emergency delivery.
2. Are all your power switches in the “on” or “start” positions? They should be. Turn on any that aren’t, and check to see if the circuit breaker was tripped.
3. Is your thermostat set at least five degrees above the current temperature in the room? It should also be set on “Heat” or “Auto,” and the fan should be set to “On” for continuous airflow, or “Auto.”
4. If your heating system has a pilot light, check that it’s lit.
5. If you have a forced-air heating system, how is the airflow from your vents? Check the air filter if it’s slow, replace if needed, and make sure the vents aren’t blocked.
6. With your oil-fired furnace or boiler, reset the red burner switch once. But ONLY once. Doing it more than once can flood your heating system with oil.

Dry air. When air is very dry, it can be a problem not just for you but for your home. Very dry air can damage furniture, woodwork, wood flooring, cabinetry, and electronics. It can also create difficulties for people with respiratory conditions. A whole-house humidifier, added to your home’s heating system, may be a solution.

Our service plans help you take care of your home’s heating system and save you money. Sign up for one today!