If your heating system isn’t working properly, it can be inconvenient and even dangerous. You may have to choose between turning up the thermostat or wearing a coat indoors. Before you consider repairing or replacing your system, you should first check to make sure it isn’t just temporarily broken. Run a professional inspection of your system before attempting repairs or replacements yourself. If your heating system is in need of repair or replacement, here are some things to consider before spending money on repairs or buying a new system:

What does your thermostat say?

Your thermostat is the control center for your heating system. It tells the heating system whether you want heat or not. If your thermostat is reporting that the house is too cold, then the heating system is broken. You can fix this by adjusting your thermostat or by replacing the thermostat entirely. If the thermostat is broken, but the heating system is otherwise working properly, then you should replace the thermostat. If the thermostat is working properly and the heating system is broken, then the thermostat is reporting the wrong information and needs to be replaced.

Check your ductwork for leaks

If your heating system is not working, but the thermostat is set to a temperature that would be warm enough to heat the house, there could be a problem with your ductwork. If your ductwork is leaking, the air that should be heating your house is escaping through the leaks. You should shut off your heating system and have a professional come in and check your ductwork for leaks. If you find a leak, you should repair it as soon as possible.

Check your gas line for leaks

If you smell gas in your home, there could be a leak in your gas line. You should shut off your gas supply and call a professional to inspect the line. If there is a leak, it can be dangerous and should be repaired immediately. If you smell gas but don't see any leaks, you should shut off your gas supply and call a professional to inspect the line.

Check your water supply line for leaks

If you smell water in your home, there could be a leak in your water supply line. You should shut off your water supply and call a professional to inspect the line. If there is a leak, it can be dangerous and should be repaired immediately. If you smell water but don't see any leaks, you should shut off your water supply and call a professional to inspect the line.

Check your electrical wires for problems

If your heating system is not working, but the thermostat is set to a temperature that would be warm enough to heat the house, there could be a problem with your electrical wires. You should shut off your heating system and have a professional come in and check your electrical wires for problems. If you find a problem, you should repair it as soon as possible.

Check your furnace for problems

If your heating system is not working, but the thermostat is set to a temperature that would be warm enough to heat the house, there could be a problem with your furnace. You should shut off your heating system and have a professional come in and check your furnace for problems. If you find a problem, you should repair it as soon as possible.

Check your air conditioner for problems

If your heating system is not working, but the thermostat is set to a temperature that would be warm enough to heat the house, there could be a problem with your air conditioner. You should shut off your heating system and have a professional come in and check your air conditioner for problems. If you find a problem, you should repair it as soon as possible.

Summing up

Before you commit to repairs or replacement, check your system to see if it can be repaired. If not, you should replace your system. If your system can be repaired, you should repair it before it breaks down again.

Frequently Asked Question

We recommend service be performed once a year at a minimum, especially before winter. Some people have their HVAC units serviced spring and fall to prepare for the coming heat of summer or in the fall to prepare for winter. Proper maintenance will prolong the life of your HVAC unit.

  • When Home: 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit
  • When Sleeping: 65 degrees Fahrenheit
  • When You're Away: 65 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Adjust thermostat in 5-8 degree increments
  • Install a Wood Burning Stove
  • Utilize Fire in Fireplace and Block Chimney When Not in Use
  • Make Sure All Doors and Windows Are Properly Sealed
  • Cook often
  • Install Insulated Curtain Liners to Trap Heat
  • Allow as Much Sunlight to Hit Home as Possible via Landscaping
  • Use your curtains
  • Use timers on your central heating
  • Move your sofa
  • Maximise your insulation
  • Wrap up warm
  • Turn down the dial
  • Block out the draughts
  • Install thermostatic radiator valves
According to experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea it's cheaper to leave the heating on low all day is a myth. They're clear that having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money. You will also want to have someone perform regular heating maintenance on your system at least once a year.
Turning the heat down eliminates these issues, while still reducing the amount of energy you use. You can save 10% off of your heating bill for every 10° you lower your thermostat.
  • Opt for Plug-In Energy Saving Electric Radiators. 
  • Dry Clothes with a Heated Airer
  • Use Electric Blankets & Heated Throws
  • A Winter Duvet is a Must
  • Draught-Proof the Home
  • Insulate your home
  • Choose Carpets & Rugs Over Solid Floors
  • Put 3-4 candles on a tray and light them up.
  • Position two bricks on either side of the tray and two behind the tray
  • Take the ceramic bowl and put it upside down on the tray
  • Place the small fan on the bricks behind the tray
  • Turn on the fan, and your setup is complete
In fact, leaving your heat on all day can actually cost you much more than turning it off every now and then. Heat tends to diffuse, so the high heat in your home will diffuse to areas of low heat outside the home during the winter. So even when you have your furnace on, your home is always losing a little bit of heat.
Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your heating system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.
As long as you close the doors so the cold air doesn't seep into the rest of the house, you will save money by turning off the radiators in unused rooms. By doing so, you'll prevent the water in the system from running through that particular radiator.