Heater Issues

How Will a Failing Thermocouple Affect Your Heater in Cross Lanes, WV?

February 11, 2021

Snowfall, high winds and below-freezing temperatures in Cross Lanes, WV, require your home furnace to be in prime condition. To keep everything working throughout the spine-tingling winter, keep a constant eye on the thermocouple. If you’re not sure how a thermocouple affects your heater, read on to learn more.

What’s a Thermocouple?

A thermocouple is a critical part of the heating system, enabling it to measure the temperature. One of the most important roles of the thermocouple is to detect the burner. If there’s a problem with the thermocouple, you won’t be able to detect if the burner is lit or it went out.

The thermocouple also acts as a safety guard. Without a properly working thermocouple, the gas valve may remain open without lighting a burner. Under these conditions, dangerous carbon monoxide can leak, creating a serious health hazard.

When Do You Need to Replace a Thermocouple?

As with other parts of a heating system, it’s important to replace the thermocouple before it gets too old. A trained HVAC service technician can advise you if the thermocouple needs replacement and if they can change it during routine maintenance whenever necessary.

Symptoms of a Failing Thermocouple

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the thermocouple so you can replace it before it fails. During a routine maintenance call, the HVAC service technician will usually look for these issues that signal trouble:

  • Discoloration, rust and cracks on the unit and connected wires.
  • Corrosion, missing insulation and bare wires.
  • Faulty connectors that can cause problems with the test readings.

A thermocouple is a sensitive device that only an expert should handle. If you need help with a failing thermocouple or any other HVAC service, call our team at E.J. Thompson & Son LLC. Our family-owned company has served the Cross Lanes, WV, area faithfully since 1949.

Image provided by iStock

You May Also Like

4 Signs You Need Heat Pump Repair in Poca, WV

4 Signs You Need Heat Pump Repair in Poca, WV

Heat pump breakdowns are unavoidable. It may be unclear when you need to call a service technician for repairs. These are a few indicators that show your heat pump needs repair services in Poca, WV. Excessive Noise Heat pumps produce unusual noises when they have a...

Watch for These 4 Wintertime Heat Pump Issues

Watch for These 4 Wintertime Heat Pump Issues

Extreme winter weather can put your home's heat pump at risk of freezing and snow damage. Learning about the common warning signs will help you identify and prepare before the problem becomes a heating emergency. Here are four wintertime HVAC issues to keep an eye out...

4 Things to Consider for a New Water Heater in Cross Lanes, WV

4 Things to Consider for a New Water Heater in Cross Lanes, WV

It's easy to take your home's hot water supply for granted. But when the time comes for a new water heating system, there are some important things to consider first. Here are four critical considerations for buying a new water heater in Cross Lanes, WV. Consider the...

Why Choose Us

Emergency Service

Trane Comfort Specialists

100% Performance Guaranteed

Family-Owned & Operated Since 1949

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Pin It on Pinterest

Compliance Settings
Increase Font Size
Grayscale
Simplified Font
Underline Links
Highlight Links
Reset
Close