Help! My Heat Isn’t Working!
A Homeowner’s Guide to Heating System Troubleshooting
It’s not the least bit fun to wake up in the middle of a colder winter’s night in the Hudson Valley and think, “Gee, it’s a little too cold in here…” before you realize your heat is off. Of course, when you furnace or boiler is on the fritz, Depew Energy has your back. We’re here for you in any times of trouble and our in-house heating specialists can get you up and running fast.
But before you give us a call, try these troubleshooting tips. There’s often an easy solution and you may be able to avoid the expense of a service call.
Home Heating Troubleshooting Steps
- Check Your Thermostat
Make sure your thermostat is set to a temperature at least 5° above room temperature and set to “heat.” Is it the batteries? Try installing fresh ones.
- Check the System Switch
Did the switch for your heating system accidentally get turned off? This happens more often than you’d think. Don’t overthink it, just turn it on and see if it begins to cycle.
- Check Your Fuel Supply
If you’re on will-call for your fuel deliveries and you haven’t checked your tank gauge in a while, there’s a good chance you’ve accidentally run out of fuel—especially if it’s been very cold recently, or if you’ve been spending more time at home during the day. We can help you with an emergency delivery to fill you up if you’re in a pinch, but you can avoid costly, unnecessary fuel runouts with our convenient and FREE automatic delivery propane and heating oil delivery service. We’ll track your fuel usage to make sure you get deliveries before you ever run too low.
- Check Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers can easily trip. Check the breaker that your heating system is on and turn it on if it’s off.
- Check the Air Filter
When the air filter on your furnace gets clogged, the system will shut down as a safety precaution. Replace it and keep a note on your calendar to check it at least once a month.
- Check the Boiler
If you have a steam boiler, check the water level gauge. It should be at least half-full. Call us if it isn’t. Have a hot water boiler? You can skip this step.
- Reset the System
If none of the previous steps seem to work, push and hold the Reset button for 30 seconds. Only do this ONCE. Doing it more than once floods the combustion chamber with too much heating oil. That’s an expensive repair job on top of any other repairs you may need.
If none of these steps resolves the problem, call us at 845-568-0072 and we’ll dispatch a technician to get you up and running as soon as possible.
An Ounce of Prevention
Some heating system problems are easy to prevent. A routine tune-up is the best way to make sure your boiler or furnace is running at peak efficiency! It not only helps keep heating costs down, but regular maintenance also prevents many of the problems that lead to breakdowns. Our affordable service plans include annual maintenance and can also help you save money on repairs, if you do require a service call.
No matter what you need, the home heating pros at Depew Energy are here for you—and we’re always happy to help. As a family-owned business, we’re your neighbors, and we care about our reputation in the community, so we go out of our way to exceed your expectations. Experience home heating issues? Looking for a new company to help keep you comfortable? Contact us today.
