As winter approaches, many homeowners think that they will just be able to switch on their heating and immediately feel warm and comfortable. Unfortunately, if you have neglected the maintenance and servicing of your system, you may find that a fault has developed. Although there are potentially hundreds of things that can go wrong with heating systems, here are five common problems that could be affecting your system. 
Clogged Filters:
The filters for your furnace should be regularly replaced to avoid inefficiency and reduce the risk of breakdown. Many manufacturers recommend that filters are replaced once a month as dirty clogged filters reduce airflow and force the system to work harder. This causes unnecessary strain that affects the efficiency and performance, causing premature wear and tear. Although the filter is a small component, regular replacement is vitally important.
Ignition Control Problems:
If you have no heat at all, your heating system may have ignition control problems. To diagnose this, you need first to check what type of ignition is used in your system. There are typically two types of ignition; the intermittent pilot and the hot surface ignition. An ignition pilot system has an electronically controlled ignition with a high voltage electric spark igniting the gas pilot and trigger the ignition of the main burners when you adjust the thermostat. Alternatively, a hot surface ignition system uses an electronically controlled resistance heating element to ignite the gas burner. There are some problems that can develop and affect ignition control. Unfortunately, any fault affecting the ignition function means that the furnace will not light, and you will have no heat.
Thermostat Dysfunction:
The thermostat on your heating system is how you determine how much heat needs to be produced and when. Should the thermostat malfunction or fail, you will find your heating intermittent or have no heating at all. There are two reasons for this type of problem. The first is that the thermostat may not be transmitting the correct messages to the ignition or that the fans used to force hot air around the house may not be activated when you are setting the thermostat.
Mechanical Wear and Tear:
Your heating system contains numerous mechanical components that are essential for proper function. If any of these components, such as bearings or belts have suffered from wear and tear, you may find that your system fails to perform properly. Symptoms of a wear and tear issue can vary depending on the affected component. You may find that you have poor heating control, the fan motors are not operating properly, or the furnace has begun to overheat.
Noisy Furnace:
Your furnace may have developed a rumble or squeak every time you turn on your heating. This noisy operation is not only unpleasant to listen to, but it can be a worry that there is a major problem developing. Often noises are the result of poorly tuned, dirty or unoiled components. While this problem may be a minor issue, it will not correct itself and should be addressed before it can develop into a major problem.