Two common heating systems in our area
Most Lake Houston homes heat with one of two systems:
- Gas furnace. A furnace in the attic or a closet burns natural gas, and the AC blower moves the warm air. See furnace not working.
- Heat pump. An outdoor unit that looks like an AC but runs in reverse to move heat indoors, usually with electric backup heat strips. See heat pump repair.
Some homes, especially larger or older ones, have one of each upstairs and downstairs.
Common heating problems
- Furnace blower runs but the air is cold
- Furnace starts, then shuts off after a few minutes
- Burning smell on the first cold day (often dust burning off, which should fade quickly)
- Heat pump outdoor unit covered in ice that doesn't clear
- High electric bills in winter, which often means backup heat strips are running too much
- Thermostat showing "Aux" or "Emergency Heat" all the time
Safety first with gas heat
If you smell gas (a rotten-egg odor), leave the house and call your gas utility from outside. Don't flip switches. Every home with a gas furnace should have working carbon monoxide detectors, and the furnace should be inspected before heating season. A cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide, and only a qualified technician can check for it.
Don't wait for the first freeze
Heating contractors get very busy the first cold week of the year. A fall check-up as part of your maintenance plan is the best way to avoid waiting.
Common questions
Why does my heater smell like burning the first time I turn it on?
Dust collects on heating components over the summer and burns off the first time they warm up. The smell should fade within an hour. If it doesn't, or it smells electrical, turn the system off and call a pro.
What does emergency heat mean on a heat pump?
It runs only the electric backup heat, skipping the heat pump. It works, but it's expensive. Use it only if the heat pump has failed, and schedule a repair.