DIY Heating System Troubleshooting

When winter settles over Arvada and the foothills start stacking up the snow, nobody wants to realize their heat has tapped out on a cold night.

But before you call in the professionals to take a look, there are a handful of things you can check on your own.

The Front Range and Arvada heating experts at Mighty Pine put together some safe troubleshooting steps that help you figure out whether the problem is straightforward or needs a licensed tech to solve. 

From Arvada to Wheat Ridge and beyond, here are some practical checks our pros use before we pick up a wrench. 

Start With the Basics

Heating issues can look dramatic and unsettling, yet the real cause is actually quite simple. Before assuming the worst, check on:

• Thermostat settings and mode: Make sure your thermostat is on, set to heat, and not cool or fan. You can also try setting it to manual mode before moving onto the next troubleshooting mode. 
• Batteries: Weak thermostat batteries can create unreliable readings. Swap them out to a fresh set to see if it resolves your issues.
• Breaker and shutoff switch: Furnaces and air handlers usually have a nearby switch resembling a light switch. Double-check it wasn’t accidentally bumped to off while grabbing the holiday decorations or lights from the storage bins. 

What to Do If the Furnace Runs, But The Air Is Still Cold

Cold air cycling through your vents doesn’t automatically mean there is a failure going on; instead it could just mean the system is struggling.

Here’s what to check on next:

• Air filter: If your air filter is visibly dirty, replace it with a new one to avoid airflow restriction, overheating, and blower shutdown.
• Closed vents: Move away any desks, couches, or rugs away from closed vents to open up the airflow.
• Thermostat calibration: Some thermostat models need periodic recalibration. If the numbers never seem to match the actual room temperature, it could be the reason you don’t have enough warm air.

Pilot Light and Ignition Issues

Some older Arvada homes still use standing pilot light systems, but newer systems rely on an electronic ignition. You can attempt these steps once or twice to observe what’s going on, but stop and give us a call if it’s not resolved.

• Relight the pilot light carefully: A steady blue flame is normal, but anything yellow or wavering means it’s time to shut it down and call our team at Mighty Pine.
• Repeated failure to stay lit: You likely have a failing thermocouple or ignition component. Instead of continuously relighting it, call our pros to take a look.

Don’t Ignore Furnace Noises

• Booming / banging: Delayed ignition (do not keep running it)
• Grinding: Mechanical failure in motion
• High-pitched whine: Restriction or blocked airflow

If it sounds like parts are arguing in there, shut it off. Heat should never sound like a toolbox in a blender.

Extra Troubleshooting Checks Most Homeowners Skip

Here are some of the troubleshooting tips homeowners skip, which could clarify confusion about what’s going on:

1. Check the condensate drain line: A blocked line on a high-efficiency system can shut everything down. If the pan or line is full of water, you’ll know the line is most likely blocked and needs a service call.
2. Look for snow or ice blocking exterior vents: Colorado storms can seal vents shut. If exhaust or intake pipes are blocked, your system can’t breathe and warm up your home.
3. Inspect return air paths: If your returns are clogged with pet hair or furniture, the blower overheats and short-cycles.
4. Confirm humidifier settings: Whole-home humidifiers tied into the furnace can trip issues if set wrong or leaking into the system.
   

When It’s Not DIY Anymore

If your system shows any of the following, you’ve reached the limit of homeowner diagnostics and it’s time to bring in an Arvada heating repair expert:

• Repeated system shutdowns
• Furnace tries to start, fails, repeats
• Burning smell that comes back after filter change
• Pilot problems that return after relighting
• Cold spots that weren’t there last season
• Circuit breakers that keep tripping after a reset
• Burning plastic, electrical, or scorched wiring smell
• Rotten egg or gas odor (turn off the system if possible and leave your home, then call 911)
• Smoke from vents

That’s where Mighty Pine steps in. We always diagnose exactly what’s going on before replacing anything and repair when it makes the most sense. No matter what you need, we offer transparency, clarity, and upfront pricing you can trust.

Call Mighty Pine When You’re Done Troubleshooting

If you worked through our DIY heating system troubleshooting list and the heat still isn’t cooperating, we’ll take it from here. Mighty Pine serves Arvada, Wheat Ridge, and the Denver Metro area with straightforward diagnostics and heating repairs. We never upsell or use high-pressure scare tactics. Our focus is honest, high-quality work done the right way. 

Schedule your appointment today!

Call (720) 538-8755