My heater blows air but it's not warm — what's happening?

For a furnace, the ignitor or gas valve may be failing. For a heat pump, the system may be stuck in cooling mode due to a reversing valve issue, or the auxiliary heat isn't engaging. A technician can diagnose which component is at fault.

Is it safe to use space heaters while I wait for repair?

Electric space heaters are safe if used properly — keep them on a flat surface away from flammable materials, never use an extension cord, and don't leave them unattended. Never use a gas oven or stove to heat your home.

How quickly can you fix a broken heater?

Most heating repairs are completed the same day you call. Common fixes like ignitors, flame sensors, and capacitors take about an hour. Parts that need to be ordered may add a day.

Heater Not Working — Quick Checks Before Calling HVAC

Heater won't turn on? Try these quick checks for furnaces, heat pumps, and electric heaters before scheduling service.

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Professional Heater Not Working — Quick Checks Before Calling HVAC in Asheville & Western NC

Identify Your Heater Type First

The troubleshooting steps depend on what type of heating system you have. Gas furnaces, heat pumps, electric furnaces, and boilers each fail differently. If you're not sure what you have, look at your outdoor unit — if it runs in winter, you have a heat pump. If you only have an indoor unit with a gas line, that's a gas furnace. If there's no outdoor unit and no gas line, you likely have an electric furnace. Knowing this saves time when troubleshooting or explaining the problem to a technician.

Universal Checks for Any Heater

Regardless of heater type, start with these: confirm the thermostat is set to "heat" and the set point is above room temperature. Check the air filter — a clogged filter causes shutdowns in all heater types. Verify the circuit breaker is on. Make sure the furnace power switch (if present) is in the "on" position. For heat pumps, check that the outdoor unit isn't buried in snow, ice, or debris — restricted airflow around the outdoor coil prevents proper heating.

Heat Pump–Specific Issues in WNC

Heat pumps are extremely popular in Western North Carolina, but they behave differently in cold weather. Below about 35°F, a heat pump's efficiency drops and auxiliary heat strips should kick in to supplement. If your heat pump blows lukewarm air on cold days, the aux heat may not be engaging — often a relay or sequencer issue. It's also normal for a heat pump to go into defrost mode periodically in winter, during which the outdoor unit appears to smoke or steam. This is normal and lasts only a few minutes.

Getting Professional Help

If your heater still isn't working after basic checks, call Quality Comfort for heating repair. We work on all heater types across Asheville, Hendersonville, Waynesville, and all of Western NC. For truly cold conditions, we offer emergency heating service to get your home warm safely.