--- slug: "troubleshooting" title: "Troubleshooting" business_name: "Courtyard HVAC" template_kind: "custom-new" template_version: "v2" --- # Troubleshooting Use these checks to understand common heating, water-heating, and indoor air quality symptoms before requesting service. We serve homeowners across the GTA, including Vaughan, Woodbridge, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and nearby communities. Our service groups include furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, tankless and storage-tank water heaters, filtration, purification, humidifiers, and duct cleaning. ## Before you contact us Note what you are experiencing and when it started. Useful details include: - The equipment type, make, and model, if available - Whether the problem is constant or occurs only at certain times - Thermostat setting and actual room temperature - Any warning lights, error codes, water, odours, or unusual sounds - Whether the air filter is dirty or recently replaced - Whether the issue affects the whole home or only one room or fixture Do not remove access panels or attempt electrical, refrigerant, gas, combustion, or internal water-heater repairs yourself. ## Furnace has no heat or weak airflow First confirm that the thermostat is set to heating and is calling for a temperature above the current room temperature. If the thermostat uses batteries, replace them if they are weak or the display is blank. Check the air filter and replace it if it is visibly dirty. Make sure supply registers are open and not blocked by furniture, rugs, or other objects. Call us if the furnace still does not start, starts unreliably, produces weak airflow, leaves rooms cold, or creates uneven heat. Weak airflow, unusual sounds, frequent cycling, uneven heat, and rising energy costs are warning signs that warrant service rather than repeated resets. For cooling equipment, check the filter regularly during heavy use, keep supply registers open, remove leaves or plants around the outdoor unit, leave approximately two feet of clearance around the condenser, and watch for drain leaks. Electrical, refrigerant, and internal cleaning work should be left to a qualified technician. ## Strange furnace or boiler noises A new or worsening sound is a reason to schedule an inspection. Common patterns can point toward different issues: - Rattling or scraping: loose panels, debris, or a blower component contacting the casing - Whistling or hissing: restricted airflow, blocked registers, duct pressure problems, or, in some situations, a gas leak - Clicking or buzzing: an ignition, control, or electrical issue - Banging, kettling, or rumbling: possible combustion, scale, restricted flow, or other equipment problems Do not keep operating equipment that makes a persistent, harsh, or unfamiliar sound. If a hissing sound is accompanied by a rotten-egg or sulphur odour, leave the home immediately. Do not operate lights, switches, or other equipment that could create a spark. Call 911 and your gas utility from a safe location outside. In the Enbridge Gas service area, the gas emergency number is 1-866-763-5427. ## Furnace starts and stops too often Short cycling means the furnace turns on and off repeatedly in short intervals, often before the home reaches the thermostat setting. Signs include rapid starts, temperature fluctuations, rooms that remain uncomfortable, and higher energy use. A dirty filter or blocked registers can restrict airflow, cause the furnace to overheat, and activate a safety limit. Other possible causes include thermostat batteries, faulty thermostat wiring, or poor thermostat placement near a heat source. You can replace a dirty filter, open blocked registers, and check thermostat batteries. If the furnace continues to short cycle after those checks, turn it off and request service. Continued cycling can place stress on the equipment and requires professional diagnosis. Boiler symptoms can include cold radiators, banging or whistling, frequent starts, and repeated ignition faults. These may relate to trapped air, low pressure, poor circulation, scale, or controls. Shut down the system and call a qualified technician if you smell gas or see signs of combustion trouble. ## Water heater leaks or hot-water problems We service both tankless and storage-tank water-heating systems. If you see active water around the heater, first protect people and property: keep clear of wet electrical equipment, place a container or towels below a minor drip if it is safe, and close the cold-water supply valve if you know its location and can reach it safely. Do not open the heater cabinet, adjust the gas controls, or dismantle valves. A leak from the tank body, fittings, drain valve, relief-valve discharge, or pipe connections can require different repairs. Tell us where the water is coming from, whether the leak is constant, and whether the unit is gas or electric. If you smell gas, leave immediately and follow the gas-safety steps above. Loss of hot water, unusual rumbling, discoloured water, or repeated relief-valve discharge also warrant service. ## Signs of indoor air quality problems Possible indicators include stuffy or stale air, persistent odours, condensation on windows or walls, visible dust or debris returning quickly, and rooms that feel unusually dry or humid. Dry winter air may contribute to static, dry skin, or shrinking wood. After renovations, moving into a home, or noticing recurring debris from supply and return runs, duct cleaning may be appropriate. We can assess options including whole-home filtration, HEPA filtration, air purification, humidification, and duct cleaning. Filtration choices need to account for particle performance, airflow requirements, and ongoing filter maintenance. Purification may complement filtration when odours, biological growth, or some volatile compounds are concerns. Replace filters when they look dirty and check them monthly during heavy use. ## Request service For a non-emergency assessment, contact Courtyard HVAC (https://courtyardhvac.com/contact-us) with the equipment type, symptoms, and any photos or error codes. We are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturday, 9am to 2pm. For emergency and after-hours service, call 416-555-0148. Fuel-burning equipment, gas odours, combustion concerns, and active water leaks should not be managed through repeated DIY resets.