There are many issues that can happen with your heating and cooling system, and one of those things is that your heater will not cut off. This can be very frustrating, and if you do not get it turned off quickly, it can cause a significant increase in your energy bills.
How to Get the Heater to Stop Running
If your home’s heater is constantly on, you are likely ready to shut it off before you begin trying to find the problem. There are a few things that you can do to make the heater stop running. It is important that you give your unit time to cut off on its own. Sometimes, your unit may run longer than normal. This is especially true if you are experiencing very cold temperatures. During cold spells, your heating system will have to work hard to ensure that your home is warm enough.
If you have a battery-powered thermostat, check it, and replace the batteries if needed. If the batteries are old and out of energy, they can make your heating unit stay on. If you have a thermostat that has a direct connection to your electric system, or if changing the batteries did not work, change the thermostat setting to “off.” Give your system a few minutes to shut off. If a few minutes have passed and the system still will not cut off, you will need to turn the power off to the entire system.
If your thermostat does not have an off switch, you can turn the temperature below the current room temperature. You will want to do this by several degrees. If your heating system and thermostat are working, it should turn off. If the system does not turn off, it is time to turn off the power.
You might feel uncomfortable turning off the power to your heating and cooling system. It is easy, though, and the “off” and “on” switches should be clearly labeled. Switch the unit to the off position, and call an HVAC professional. If you cannot find the off switch, go to your electrical panel, and turn off the breaker that controls your heating and cooling unit.
What Can Cause the Heat to Not Turn Off
There are several reasons why your heating system will not turn off. The following covers a few of the most common.
1. Faulty Thermostat
A faulty thermostat can cause your heating unit to run and not turn off. The unit may have a broken heating sensor, the wiring may have gone bad, or the switch itself may have broken. The older the thermostat is, the more at risk you are for this happening.
Fortunately, a broken thermostat is an extremely easy fix. All you need to do is call your local HVAC company and have them come out to replace your thermostat. You will want to check out some of the latest thermostat technologies while you are at it. These energy-efficient models can help your unit last longer and aid you in saving on your monthly utility bills.
2. Damaged Primary Controller
If the thermostat is in good shape, the next thing that is looked at is the heating unit itself. The primary controller is what controls when the unit comes on and goes off. If it is not functioning properly, it can cause the unit to stay on or to not come on. Your HVAC professional will need to replace that primary controller. If the problem is not in the primary controller, they will find the problem in the system and fix it.
3. Issues With the Water-Checking System
If your home uses hot water for heating or has a radiator, there may be an issue with the water-checking system. Normally, when this system goes down, it is the check valve that has gone bad. This faulty valve will keep the water circulating throughout the system, which will keep the heat running. Calling an HVAC technician will help you to determine whether or not this is the issue.
4. Rodent Damage
In some cases, your system can become damaged by rodents. Mice or rats can get inside of the HVAC unit and chew up the wiring. If this happens, it can cause the system to run constantly. This is especially true if they chew around the area where the thermostat wire enters the unit. No matter how clean your house is or how well-sealed it is, mice have a knack for being able to get in and do considerable damage to your system and other parts of your house.
5. Improperly Sized Ducts
Another issue that can cause your heater to run constantly is improperly sized ducts. When the ducts are the wrong size, the unit may not efficiently heat the entire home. This may lead to the heater constantly running.
6. Dirty Ducts and Registers
If your ducts are dirty, they can cause your unit to run for extended amounts of time. When ducts are clogged, they do not allow for proper airflow. This will keep your HVAC unit running to try to heat the entire home and to satisfy the setting on your thermostat. Your ducts should be cleaned at least once a year to ensure that there is no debris building up. During the duct cleaning, you should also have the HVAC technician inspect the ductwork for issues with leaks or breaks that can also affect airflow and can cause your unit to run nonstop.
You will also want to check all of your registers in your home. Registers that are blocked off or that are clogged with debris can cause your unit to work harder at heating your home. When one register is clogged, it can also create a static pressure buildup that can lead to the early breakdown of your heating unit. If your registers are dirty, you can clean them with your vacuum attachment and wipe them with a damp cloth.
Can You Fix These Problems Yourself?
When it comes to problems with a constantly running heater, you should typically call a professional HVAC technician to help you figure out what the problem is. If the problem is simple, like a thermostat that needs batteries, you can handle that situation yourself before calling an HVAC technician.
However, if you cannot figure out the problem, you will want to turn the unit off and call a professional. This individual will have years of experience and can quickly find what is wrong with the unit. Your heating system has many sophisticated parts that can be easily damaged. There is also a risk of electrical shock, and if you have a gas furnace, a risk of gas exposure. Leaving the repairs up to the professionals is a wise choice and will help to ensure that you stay safe, save money, and have a functioning heater.
At Bardi Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, we offer heating and cooling, plumbing, duct cleaning, and insulation services. We proudly serve Norcross, GA, and the surrounding areas. If you have a problem with your heater not cutting off, please give us a call as soon as possible.
