Preparing for the Fall: 5 Common Issues During the Heating Season

As the dog days of summer come to an end, the inevitable heating season will be upon us in no time. Families will begin turning on their heat for the first time in months, and business owners will start heating their offices and warehouses, all with the hope that nothing goes wrong.

Veteran technicians understand this can mean a huge wave of replacement parts, leaks, and a slew of issues ready to arise as the equipment turns over for a new season of use. Today, we’re going to cover some of these issues and suggest some affordable products to help solve these problems at their core, all available right here at Jackson Systems. Let’s get into it!

ISSUE 1: Aging Furnace That Won’t Turn On

One of the most common issues technicians run into in the field during the heating season revolves around old furnaces. The best place to start when troubleshooting a furnace that isn’t producing heat is the ignitor. Today, let’s stick to discussing the most common type of ignitor technicians will encounter: hot surface ignitors.

The first way to check your surface ignitor is simple: Take the furnace panel off, switch on the furnace, and keep an eye on your ignitor and burners. When you turn it on, you should first hear the inducer motor start, followed by the gas valves opening to release gas to the burners. This should make a small clicking sound.

At this point, if the surface ignitor at the back of the burners does not begin to glow red hot, you may have a faulty ignitor. You can also use a multimeter to test the current at the ignitor connectors. Occasionally, the problem is a connection issue rather than faulty equipment.

Replacement Parts

We offer a wide variety of popular hot surface ignitors in many sizes from Honeywell, White-Rodgers, Supco, and more. You can also find helpful multimeter tools, such as the RMS meter from UEi.

ISSUE 2: Higher Carbon Monoxide Risk

According to the CDC, at least 430 people die in the United States every year from carbon monoxide poisoning, and almost 50,000 people visit the emergency room because of accidental exposure. Many of these cases happen during the chilly winter months when homeowners run furnaces, kerosene heaters, stoves, lanterns, or generators.

Specifically, old, rusted-out furnaces can leak dangerous levels of carbon monoxide into a home without the people inside noticing. This is because carbon monoxide is both odorless and invisible.

Without proper carbon monoxide sensors, families could be risking their health without realizing the damage being done. Make sure your homeowners have CO detectors installed and inform them that changing the batteries every six months is key to keeping them safe.

As a technician, remember to check for potential holes and rust spots in equipment, keep vents and flues free of debris, and educate your clients about the importance of carbon monoxide poisoning prevention.

Product Solutions

We carry a variety of reliable CO detectors and now offer imprinting options for contractors. This is a great way to keep a phone number or other contact information top of mind for homeowners if new issues arise.

ISSUE 3: Heating Filters Are Dirty and Clogged

Inefficient heating systems can be caused by multiple issues, but one of the easiest places to check first is the air filter. If a filter has not been replaced in more than six months, it can become clogged with dust, dirt, and other debris.

This blockage can decrease airflow, reducing the amount of warmth delivered throughout the home or apartment. Changing the filter at the beginning of a new heating season is a great way to protect the equipment and keep it operating as efficiently as possible.

Product Solution

There are many effective solutions to issues like this. In the short term, you will want to identify the correct dimensions and MERV rating for the unit. This will allow you to find the appropriate replacement filters online.

If remembering inconvenient installation and replacement dates is not your forte, the solution might be our Filter Fetch service.

Filter Fetch is one of the only filter fulfillment subscription plans that allows homeowners to have full control over when and how often they receive filters at their doorstep. Contact your local contractor to see whether they offer our service. It’s one of the easiest ways to maintain healthy indoor air quality and protect your equipment from long-term damage.

ISSUE 4: Bad Solenoid Valve

As your humidifier sits unused throughout the summer waiting for the cooler months, there is plenty of opportunity for parts to age and break. A very common occurrence is the solenoid valve beginning to develop issues.

If you notice that the valve is not opening or closing correctly, is not properly shutting off, or is continuously leaking, there is a high chance that the solenoid valve needs to be replaced. Allowing the problem to continue without addressing it could lead to further equipment damage or malfunctions.

Product Solution

A universal solenoid valve is a great option when looking for a proper replacement part. ESP’s UHS24 universal kit is a fantastic option for these scenarios. No OEM-specific parts are required, and all the appropriate fittings are included with the kit.

It is a great solution that replaces Aprilaire, Honeywell, Skuttle, and other name-brand valves without the hassle.

ISSUE 5: Ignition System Not Working

When troubleshooting natural gas furnace issues, sometimes replacing the ignitor is not enough. If issues persist, it is probably time to test other areas. The control system and gas valve are good places to look after confirming that the ignitor is not the problem.

This is contractor-only territory. A trained technician should be able to determine when a gas valve is not utilizing the 24V downstream signal sent to its leads. Unfortunately, if the gas valve is not working properly, it generally needs to be replaced rather than repaired.

Product Solution

Replacing a bad gas valve could also mean replacing the ignition system board. Contractors rejoice—we have the perfect single-purchase solution with the Robertshaw Combo Gas Valve Kit.

It comes with everything needed for an essential furnace repair:

• An ignition system control board
• A brand-new gas valve
• A flame sensor

We offer four different gas valve types to fit a wide range of furnace sizes and applications.

For more information about issues and products like these, watch our common heating issues video. You can also visit our website or call us today with any questions about these or similar products.