As temperatures lower and winter sets in, many people rely on their home's heater to keep the house at a warm, comfortable temperature. While residential heaters are designed to be durable and long-lasting, the time will eventually come where some component malfunctions or stops working properly. It can be quite alarming to discover that your home's heater is not working like it should, especially on a frigid night, but luckily most heater problems can be repaired by an experienced HVAC technician. Some of the most common heater problems that can be repaired include:

Filter Issues

Heating systems contain filters to help keep the unit clean. Over time, dirt, dust, and other debris can become trapped in the filter, which restricts air flow. When a filter is extremely dirty or completely clogged, it can cause a number of issues. Some problems causes by a clogged filter include lack of air flow through the vents and a heater that cycles on and off frequently because it has to work harder to try to maintain the proper temperature. When a clogged air filter is swapped out with a new filter, the problems should be solved.

Odd Smells

When you first start using your home's heater as the temperature dips, it is not uncommon to detect a mild burning odor. This occurs when dust particles on the heating components are burned off. But, if you notice an odor that is similar to sulfur or rotten eggs, it is important to call an HVAC repair company immediately. Most heaters are powered by natural gas, and if you smell something that reminds you of rotten eggs or sulfur, it may be a sign that you have a gas leak that needs to be fixed right away for your safety.

Malfunctioning Ignition

Modern heaters typically use a hot surface ignition to start up the heater so it can begin producing warm air. The hot surface ignition kicks on when it receives a message from the thermostat that hot air is needed to maintain the set temperature. However, a number of problems can arise with the ignition, such as a broken safety switch, a malfunctioning computer board, or issues with other components within the ignition system. Making repairs to the ignition system typically takes care of the problem.

Bad Thermostat

Problems with your heater may not be due to the components and parts located inside the heater itself. In many cases, heater problems can be associated with the thermostat in your home. When a thermostat stops working, it is not able to sense the air temperature in the house and send a message to the heater when it needs to turn on. Luckily, replacing a broken thermostat is an easy fix that is not overly expensive to repair. 

Contact a local heating repair service for further assistance.