If your heating system breaks down and you need to repair it, it can be a bit of a panic-inducing experience. You might not know where to start or what the next step is.Repairing your heating system is not as tough as you might think. In fact, most systems can be fixed without needing to call a professional technician like a heating contractor or heating engineer.The best way to repair a heating system at home is by following these 10 simple tips and tricks. If you’re in need of some help with sourcing parts for your heating system, we recommend consulting the helpful guides below. And remember, with the right knowledge and approach, even a DIY repair can go from challenging to satisfyingly doable!

Change out the thermostat.

The first thing you should do when trying to fix your heating system is change out the thermostat. If your system isn’t getting the signal from the thermostat that it needs to turn on, it won’t start. The thermostat is the first thing that gets plugged into the wall, so changing it out is the first step in repairing your system.When changing out your thermostat, make sure to choose one that matches the type of heating system in your home. This will make it easier to properly set the temperature when you get a new one installed.

Check the burner.

If the thermostat is not the issue, the next thing you should do is check the burner. Burners are the part of your system that heats the water to the temperatures needed to keep your home warm during the winter.Before you get to work on your burner, you need to shut off the main power supply to the house. After shutting off the main power supply, you can then turn on the water supply to the house. Once the water is flowing in the house, you can then safely turn on the burner.If you need help identifying which burner is on or off, there are many excellent guides available online. In fact, we recommend you use one of these guides to help you identify the burner you should be looking at.

Change out the pilot light.

If your burner is in working order but won’t start, one of the first things you should check is the pilot light. A pilot light is a flame that burns continuously in the house to let the heating system know that the burner is plugged in and ready to use.If your pilot light is out, it’s usually not a huge problem. Some systems have a backup pilot light that kicks on if the main one goes out. If this is the case, you can try to start your system manually by plugging the burner into an electrical outlet.

Clean the burner and burner pan.

If you’re trying to fix your burner and it still won’t turn on, one of the first things you should do is clean the burner and burner pan. If you don’t clean the burner, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to an unpleasant smell and other issues with your system.Start by removing the burner from the burner pan. After removing the burner, you can then clean out the burner pan with warm water and baking soda.Once you’ve finished cleaning the burner and burner pan, you can reinstall the burner and plug it in. If the burner still won’t turn on, you may have to call a technician to come out and repair the issue.

Check the thermostat’s wires.

If your burner is working and the pilot light is on, but the thermostat isn’t getting the signal to activate the heating system, you can try to check the wires in the thermostat. Make sure to unplug the thermostat so you don’t get shocked by the wires.First, you can check to see if the wires are loose. If they are, you can tighten them up by using small clamps or by using household glue.Wrapping the wires in electrical tape can also help keep them from getting damaged. If the wires appear to be in good condition, you can try to test the thermostat by touching the wires together and plugging it into a nearby wall outlet.

Check the water lines.

Another thing you can check is the water lines. If the water lines have frozen, they can make it difficult for water to reach the burner. Make sure to unplug the burner before checking the water lines. First, you can try to thaw out the water lines by running hot water through them. If this doesn’t work, you can try covering the burner with a blanket to thaw out the water lines.

Change out the burner’s burner cap.

If your burner is working, but you can’t get the pilot light to turn on, the last thing you should do is change out the burner cap. Changing out the cap will usually fix the issue.To change out the cap, you’ll need to shut off the water supply to the house. After shutting off the water supply, you can then remove the burner. When you’re removing the burner, make sure to use a bucket to catch any water that spills out of the burner. Once you’ve removed the burner, you can then remove the old cap and replace it with a new one.

Conclusion

Repairing your heating system is a great way to save money and avoid high heating bills. These repairs can also be done by individuals who are handy with a few tools and have basic mechanical knowledge.In fact, before you call a technician, you should try some of the tips above first. If these tips don’t work, however, don’t worry — almost every heating system can be fixed. Once you know which parts need to be replaced, you can either order the parts online or find them at a hardware store.