How To Turn On Wall Heater In Apartment

It is cold outside and you are trying to figure out how to turn on the heater. You have no idea where the thermostat is located, or what buttons will do what. 

There are many different types of heaters available. So, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your needs. This post will provide you with some helpful tips on how to turn on that perfect wall heater for your apartment.

How to Turn on Wall Heater in Apartment– Step-by-Step

A wall heater is a popular heating device that is employed to heat offices and houses during the winter months. In the marketplace, there are both natural gas and electric wall heaters, but none of them is difficult to use. 

Every unit, however, has its method for turning it on, which varies from one model to another. 

The procedure for turning on a wall-mounted – gas and electric – heater in your apartment is as follows.

Step 1 – Find the Pilot Light of Your Heater

Since most heaters have a pilot light located behind their vents, it’s not difficult to discover. Some systems, on the other hand, may need you to remove or open the cover of the burner before turning them on for the first time.

All of the pilot lights are behind the heater’s metal plate. As a result, looking for the pilot will require the use of a torch or any other source of light.

Step 2 – Follow the Ignition Process

Electric Wall Heater

After finding the pilot, your next job is to find the heater’s dial. For a new heater, turn on the “Ignite” button by adjusting the knob on “Pilot.” 

This procedure will take some time since you must press the button numerous times until you see a spark.

When your pilot light has been established, press the button for some time. Keep pressing it for a minute or two before releasing it.

Turn on the knob and ignite the main burner of the heater. You will hear a pop once this step is completed. Cover the heater’s vent now.

Natural Gas Heater

Turn the knob on the heater to the “Pilot” position. Before releasing it, press the button for a few seconds.

To light the pilot, press the same button once. If you have an old heater, you’ll have to burn it manually with a matchstick. 

Keep pressing the button for a few seconds after the heater’s light comes on, then release it. Now, turn the knob toward “ON” to start the burner.

Step 3 – Set your Desired Temperature

Set the desired temperature with the electric thermostat. Some heaters have digital displays, while others feature dials for this purpose.

The thermostat maintains the room’s temperature a degree below or above than necessary. So, set the temperature range to 70°F or 78°F.

Preparation for Turning on Your Wall Heater After Summer

When the temperature outside decreases, it’s time to turn on the heater and make your home warm and inviting. 

However, you must first prepare the area and wall heater for installation to ensure that everything goes according to plan. Below are all the necessary steps you need to take.

Properly clean the Vents

Before you turn on the heater, clean out any dust from the vents. This advice will assist prevent future build-up of dirt in the air. Also, remove any obstructions that are restricting your vent’s flow and keep the vents open.

Repair or Replace the Old Furnace Filters

Consider replacing the filters in your heater if you’ve used them for a long time. You could already own new ones, but if you don’t, take a tape measure of the size and go buy new ones. 

Old filters may reduce the heating efficiency, so if you don’t want to freeze in the cold, pay attention.

Get Rid of Nearby Objects

Remove any nearby items before you begin operating your heater, especially if there are boxes or containers. This will help to minimize the danger of fire. Do this as soon as possible.

Start the Thermostat

Before using the heater, test it for a few minutes. Turn up your heater’s thermostat and listen for a click sound from the unit as it begins to distribute warm air.

Allow the heater to run for a few minutes to see how well it works. If it doesn’t operate as expected, get help as soon as possible from a professional.

Seal Any Leaks

If your house has cracks and leaks through which heat can escape, fill them with a suitable substance to prevent the heater from performing poorly. 

These holes or gaps will not enable the heater to work effectively.

Replace any broken windows as soon as possible. Also, to keep the space warm in the winter, cover the gaps beneath your doors.

What to Do if Your Wall Heater is not Working

Pilot Won’t Light

If your pilot doesn’t light, the first thing you should do is check to see whether there is any gas running to the heater. The tank may be empty if your heater is fueled by propane. 

If it’s powered by natural gas, make sure the valve handle on the gas line is turned parallel to the pipe. It should flow if it’s perpendicular to the pipe.

If the pilot won’t light despite the gas being flowing, the tube might be clogged. Using some compressed air, clear the tube in the combustion chamber. 

Before attempting to relight the pilot, turn off the gas and wait ten minutes for any gas in the combustion chamber to dissipate.

Pilot Doesn’t Stay Lit

A pilot that won’t stay lit could be the result of a blockage in the tube. Turn off the gas, clear the tube with compressed air, and relight the pilot if this doesn’t work. 

If all else fails, you may need to call a repairman to come and install a new thermocouple.

Fixing Common Issues with Electric Wall Heaters

The Heater Has Stopped Working

Check for a tripped breaker or a blown fuse if your heater isn’t operating at all. If necessary, reset the breaker or replace the blown fuse.

If the electrical problem isn’t in the breaker box, check for frayed connections in the wiring. To inspect the wiring connections, you’ll need to turn off the power to the heater and remove it from the wall. Remove the heater control knob, thermostat knob, and faceplate to see whether any loose connections exist in these devices. You should tighten any loose wires.

Make sure the thermostat is set to the correct temperature and that there is adequate space for air circulation around the unit. If you still can’t get the heater to function, it’s probably time to replace the heating element.

The Heater Turns On and Off Too Often

This can occur if curtains, plants, furniture, or other items are blocking airflow to the device. It may also be caused by a faulty thermostat or control switch.

The Heater Fan Comes on, But The Heater Doesn’t Get Hot

The reason for this might be a faulty heating element or loose wiring connections within the unit. 

Turn off the power to the unit, unplug the thermostat knob, control knob, and faceplate, then remove it from the wall to inspect all of the wiring connections. 

Any disconnected or loose connections should be tightened. If this doesn’t work, your unit may require a new heating element.

The Heater Gets Hot, But The Heater Fan Doesn’t Work

Even if the heater is hot, the fan may stop working for a variety of reasons. Turn off the heater and inspect the wiring connections to and from the fan motor. 

Any loose or disconnected wiring on the fan motor should be tightened. 

Make sure nothing is restricting the fan blades. If you still cannot get your fan to work, your current fan motor may be broken.

The Heater Doesn’t Shut Off

This is normally a result of poor insulation or too large a heater, or both. To minimize drafts, add weather stripping to doors and windows, as well as insulating the outside surfaces of doors and walls. Consider purchasing another heater for the area.

The Heater Makes a Burning Smell

If your heating elements make a burning smell, it’s a sign that something is wrong. 

Lint, hair, and other debris can build up on the heating elements and create a fire hazard. They may even cause your heating elements to wear out prematurely. 

If you haven’t used your heater in a while, turn off the power, open it up, then use a vacuum to clean the heating element carefully.

Conclusion

When the weather takes a turn for the worse, wall heaters are the last thing you need to break down. Learn how to repair basic wall heater problems so you can be warm again more quickly.

If you have any questions regarding this topic, feel free to reach out to us through email and we’ll be happy to help.