Heating

When it gets cold in Plainfield, IL, it gets extremely cold. You can’t combat below-freezing temperatures with a couple of blankets and a portable heater! If your central heating system isn’t working the way it should, then you need to figure out what’s wrong.

Right before you call a certified technician for repairs, you may want to see what you can do to investigate the problem. Here’s a quick list of items you should check if there’s something funky going on with your boiler or furnace.

Take a Look at Your Thermostat

If your central heating system seems fine, but your home isn’t as warm as it should be, then you may want to take a closer look at your thermostat. Yep, your thermostat could be the source of the problem, not your heating system.

Here’s what may cause your thermostat to malfunction:

  • Dust underneath the main cover of your thermostat.
  • Faulty wiring from new thermostat installation.
  • Old, frayed wiring from initial installation.
  • Mismatched, incompatible components.

If you have a digital thermostat, maybe try switching out the batteries if you get the chance.

Side note: Did you know exposure to sunlight can do significant damage to your thermostat? If the sun shines on your thermostat throughout the day, you may want to consult a professional to relocate the unit away from a window. Your thermostat should be fairly close to the housing system for your heater.

Check Your Circuit Breaker

So your heater just tripped your circuit breaker. What are you supposed to do now? Just try it again and hope for the best? No, in this scenario, it’s best to consult a professional.

Your heater is likely overworking itself, causing your circuit breaker to trip. This can be due to:

  • Dirty air filters
  • Collapsed, crushed, or bent air ducts
  • Closed or blocked return vents

You could also have an electrical issue. Your heater could be sharing a circuit with another appliance or there could be a short circuit in the unit itself.

In either scenario, you should call a professional for help. Because the wiring can be tied into your entire electrical panel, any minor mistake in the repair can leave you without power in your home.

Look for a Blown Fuse

Did your furnace blow a fuse? Again? You need to call a professional right away. A blown fuse is a clear sign that your electrical system is not equipped to handle your heating system. Whether the problem is due to low airflow or an electrical short, you need to find a fix – and fast!

Remember: resetting your circuit breaker is only a temporary solution. If it happens rarely, it shouldn’t be a major cause for concern as it’s a common symptom of wear and tear. If, however, you’re blowing fuses every time you use your heating system, this is a major cause for concern.

Don’t go through winter with a faulty heating system. Call our heating professionals at TR Miller Heating & Cooling. We’ve worked on all types of central heating systems in Plainfield, IL. Your comfort is our first priority. Schedule an appointment today for your heating repairs.

Author

  • brian sloan headshot

    Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.

    TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

    Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.

    That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

    Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.

    That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
    Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.

    Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.

    Credentials & Affiliations:
    - President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
    - Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
    - Board Member, Nexstar Network
    - Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
    - Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
    - Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller
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