The Most Common Reasons Why Your Heater Won’t Turn Off
Your heater won’t be able to keep your home warm when it’s frigid outside if it isn’t working properly. It’s not uncommon for a heater to continuously run when there’s some sort of issue with it. While your heater may need to work harder when it’s very cold outside, it should eventually turn off at some point. If it doesn’t, then it may need repair. Here are some of the most common reasons why your heater won’t turn off.
The Air Filter Is Dirty
A dirty air filter can cause your heater to continuously run. This happens because the air that’s been taken is actually restricted as it can’t get through the dirt and dust on the filter. You can easily check to see if this is the issue by replacing your air filter. If your heater turns off after replacing it, you need to make it a point to change the air filter more often. How often you have to change it will depend on the conditions of your home. Many people only have to change their air filter every couple of months. However, if you have a lot of dust in your home or pets that shed, you may need to replace it more frequently. Keeping up with your filter changes will go a long way toward extending the lifespan of your unit.
The Thermostat Is Set Too High or Is on the Wrong Setting
Your heater won’t turn off until the temperature in your house reaches the temperature that’s set on the thermostat. If it seems like your heater has been running for a while, you need to check the thermostat. Adjust it to a lower temperature to see if your HVAC system turns off. If it does, then the issue was simply caused by your thermostat being set too high. Another reason why your heater might not shut off is because the thermostat is set to ON rather than AUTO. This is actually fairly common for those that have a thermostat that they have difficulty adjusting. You can solve this problem by changing out your thermostat. This is an inexpensive fix, and many homeowners can do this themselves in less than an hour.
A Malfunctioning Blower Motor
The blower motor blows hot air throughout your home. It should turn off once the thermostat reaches a set temperature. If there’s an issue with it, it will continuously run. This can be caused by a variety of different things, such as a switch or wiring issue. It’s best to have a professional figure out what the issue is and replace these parts for you. This is usually a quick fix, and as long as the part is available, the technician should be able to fix the issue fairly quickly.
Damaged Ductwork
The ductwork in your home isn’t meant to last forever. It can deteriorate or get damaged. When this happens, you may notice that your heater continuously runs and has a hard time keeping your home warm. A professional might be able to seal your ductwork for you, or they may need to replace it if it’s too old or damaged to fix properly. Once the ductwork is fixed, you will notice that your HVAC system is able to be a lot more efficient. You may also see a reduction in your energy bills as well.
There’s a Draft Coming From Somewhere
In some instances, heater issues are caused by a draft coming into the home. This cold air often comes in around windows and doors. You can figure out if this is the issue by checking around these areas to feel for any cold air that might be venturing inside. If you do notice that there is a draft, you may need to replace the weatherstripping in order to keep the cold air out.
If your heater won’t turn off, you need to figure out what the issue is right away to keep from damaging the system. All of the scenarios mentioned above are fairly common, but they all can be fixed by a professional technician. Mike Bryant Heating & Cooling can help you. We can fix a variety of different HVAC issues, and we can get your system working right once again. Contact Mike Bryant Heating & Cooling in Olathe, KS, for more information or to schedule your service with our friendly team.
