Common Home Heating Problems and Repairs
At Ready Air Heating and Cooling, we understand how frustrating it is when your heating system stops working—especially during the coldest days of the year. Whether you rely on a furnace, boiler, or heat pump, our licensed HVAC technicians are trained to troubleshoot and resolve a wide range of issues. Below is an in-depth look at the most common heating system problems we encounter in homes across the region.
Furnace Blowing Cold Air
When your furnace is running but blowing cold air, there’s clearly a breakdown somewhere in the heating process. This issue often stems from a failed ignition system, such as a dirty flame sensor or a worn-out ignitor, which prevents the burners from staying lit. In other cases, the furnace may overheat due to restricted airflow caused by a clogged air filter or obstructed return duct, prompting the system to shut off the burners as a safety measure. A faulty thermostat or wiring issue could also be sending the wrong signal to the furnace. Our team performs a full inspection of airflow, electrical components, and fuel delivery systems to pinpoint the exact cause and restore warm, reliable heat throughout your home.
Furnace Short Cycling (Turning On and Off Repeatedly)
Short cycling is when your furnace turns on and off in rapid succession without completing a full heating cycle. While this might not seem serious at first, it causes accelerated wear on system components, higher energy bills, and inconsistent temperatures in your home. This issue can be triggered by an oversized furnace, a blocked flue, a dirty air filter, or a malfunctioning thermostat that reads incorrect room temperatures. Additionally, a cracked heat exchanger or tripped limit switch may be causing the system to shut down prematurely to prevent overheating. We’ll assess your entire system—from combustion and exhaust to control wiring and airflow—to determine the true source of short cycling and correct it for long-term performance.
Furnace Making Loud or Strange Noises
Furnaces are never silent, but unusual sounds like banging, screeching, rattling, or humming can indicate mechanical trouble. A banging noise during startup could mean delayed ignition, which can eventually crack the heat exchanger—a serious and costly issue. Squealing might suggest a loose or worn-out blower belt, while grinding could point to dry bearings in the blower motor. Rattling panels or ducts may be caused by loose screws or expansion and contraction of metal. Identifying and addressing the source of furnace noise early can help you avoid unexpected breakdowns and extend the life of your system. We’ll inspect all mechanical, electrical, and combustion-related parts to silence the noise and ensure safe operation.
Boiler Leaking Water
Water leaking from your boiler is never something to ignore. Even a small drip can lead to major water damage, mold growth, or corrosion in surrounding areas. Leaks can originate from faulty pressure relief valves, corroded pipes, failed seals, or worn-out circulator pumps. If your system’s pressure is too high, it can force water out of safety valves. In some older systems, cracks in the boiler tank itself may be to blame. Regardless of the cause, a leaking boiler will struggle to maintain water pressure and may eventually shut down completely. Our team will carefully inspect all piping, valves, and internal boiler components to locate the source of the leak and perform the correct repair or part replacement.
Boiler Not Producing Enough Heat
A boiler that turns on but doesn’t produce enough heat may be suffering from mineral scale buildup inside the heat exchanger, reducing its ability to transfer heat to the water. Other culprits include failing zone valves, an air-locked system, or a circulation pump that isn’t delivering hot water to all radiators or baseboards. Low boiler pressure or an incorrectly set expansion tank can also affect heat distribution. If your home has uneven temperatures or takes too long to warm up, we’ll test system pressure, purge air from the lines, and check the boiler’s internal sensors to restore consistent, efficient heat output.
Heat Pump Won’t Switch Between Heating and Cooling
When heat pumps fail to switch between modes, your comfort can quickly suffer. The reversing valve, which is responsible for changing the direction of refrigerant flow, may be stuck or defective. Low refrigerant levels, a faulty control board, or miscommunication between the thermostat and outdoor unit can also keep the system locked in one mode. This issue is especially common during seasonal transitions, when thermostats switch from “cool” to “heat” settings. We’ll verify that all controls and sensors are working correctly, inspect the refrigerant circuit, and repair or replace the reversing valve if necessary to restore full functionality to your heat pump.
Heat Pump Runs Constantly Without Shutting Off
If your heat pump is running nonstop—even when the desired temperature has been reached—it may be compensating for a larger issue. Dirty air filters, frozen coils, or restricted airflow can prevent the system from heating efficiently, causing it to run longer than normal. In colder climates, heat pumps sometimes operate continuously in heating mode if backup heating is not kicking in or the unit isn’t sized properly. Another possibility is a faulty thermostat that never sends the signal to shut off. Our comprehensive service includes checking refrigerant charge, verifying the defrost cycle, testing sensors, and ensuring your heat pump is matched to your home’s heating needs.
Uneven Heating in Different Rooms
If certain rooms in your home are significantly warmer or colder than others, your heating system may be suffering from airflow or distribution issues. In ducted systems, common causes include leaky ducts, improperly balanced dampers, or insulation problems. With hydronic systems, it may be due to air trapped in radiators, closed valves, or failing circulators. Zoning system malfunctions or incorrect thermostat placement can also cause temperature inconsistencies. We’ll perform a room-by-room evaluation of your heating system, test airflow and water flow, and recommend solutions such as duct sealing, damper adjustment, or control upgrades to even out comfort across your home.
System Won’t Turn On at All
When your furnace, boiler, or heat pump won’t start, it can feel like a total system failure—but the cause might be simpler than you think. From tripped breakers and blown fuses to safety switch lockouts, a range of mechanical and electrical issues can prevent your system from turning on. A clogged condensate drain, frozen coil, or failed ignition sequence can also trigger automatic shutdowns for safety reasons. For oil and gas systems, fuel supply interruptions are another common culprit. We use professional diagnostic tools to systematically test each component—from power supply and control boards to thermostats and safety features—ensuring we identify the exact failure and get your heat back on fast.
Call Ready Air HVAC today at (410) 904-6433. Our team of licensed HVAC technicians can diagnose and repair and problem you are having whether you have a heat pump, furnace or boiler.