Hopefully, winter HVAC troubleshooting won’t be needed this season. If problems occur, of course, rest assured that our certified, professional HVAC service techs are available 24/7 to keep your home comfortable and safe.
Before you make that call for help, however, trying a few HVAC winter troubleshooting hints might resolve the problem — or at least help you gain a better understanding of what’s going on. Here are a few examples of winter HVAC troubleshooting issues and some probable potential solutions.
- Uneven heating. If certain rooms feel chronically cold in winter, inspect the supply and return vents in the colder rooms. Make sure the HVAC vent grills are wide open and that no objects such as curtains or furniture are blocking warm airflow. If everything appears OK, contact a professional HVAC technician who can check for issues such as closed internal dampers, air leakage from ductwork, or a weak blower fan. This is one of the most common problems that can be helped by winter HVAC troubleshooting.
- Heat pump freeze-ups. Heat pumps extract heat from outdoor air utilizing coils in the exterior unit. A light dust of frost on these coils is normal in winter. However, if an inspection reveals thick frost or icing on heat pump coils, and the unit cycles on and off frequently, the automatic defrost function may be faulty or the refrigerant level may be low. Call in professional help to get heat flowing again.
- Issues with the furnace’s flame sensor. The flame sensor is a safety device that detects the main furnace burner flame. If the burner fails to ignite or goes out, the flame sensor immediately shuts off gas flow for safety. A dirty or defective flame sensor, however, may shut off gas flow even though the burner has ignited and is operating properly. When the the furnace cycles on, visually confirm that the burner flame is normal. If the furnace subsequently shuts down prematurely, suspect a defective flame sensor. It’s a quick fix and not costly, but for safety reasons, it’s a job that should be done by a qualified technician.
If winter HVAC troubleshooting reveals potential heating issues, contact Paitson Bros. for a professional opinion. We’ve been here to help every winter since 1922.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922