If you’re like most of us, you’ve already turned the heat on in your home. Nothing beats a warm cozy home on a cold day and throughout the winter we will rely on our furnaces to keep our families snug and comfortable. To get the most out your heating system, you’ll need professional tune-ups as well as some general homeowner upkeep. Like all other equipment, even with proper maintenance, your furnace may act up or even refuse to turn on. The simple troubleshooting tips listed below may fix your problem and save you the cost of having to call in a professional.
Check Out the Filter
Furnace filters can really get dirty. When dust and dirt clogs a filter it impedes the proper airflow. This can actually keep a furnace from turning on in some cases and will definitely lead to premature breakdowns.
Hold your filter up to a light source. If light is unable to pass through the filter easily it needs to be replaced. Make sure when you replace the filter that the arrows are pointing in the direction of the airflow.
Check Your Thermostat
First, make sure the thermostat is set to heat. If so, set the temperature for at least five degrees higher than the current room temperature.
Your thermostat may need new batteries. If so, replace them.
If you have an electromechanical thermostat, you may need to open it and do a gentle dusting. Dirt and dust can gather around the coils and mechanical plates. Always dust with a soft paper or brush to avoid damaging sensitive parts.
Also, check out the location of the thermostat. Make sure that it isn’t near sunlight, lamps, space heaters or any other heat sources that could be causing a false reading.
Check Your Furnace Switch and the Electrical Panel
Check the switch located near your furnace to make sure it is the on position. If it is, then you need to proceed to the electrical panel.
Make sure that the power is turned on at the breaker box.
More than likely, your breaker box will be labeled. If so, look for the HVAC breaker and make sure it is on. If you don’t have any labels, look for a breaker switch that is in the opposite direction from all the others. That is the breaker you will need to switch back in the direction of the others. You will want to flip the switch all the way off and then flip it on. You will hear a click.
If your breaker continues to trip, contact a professional.
Look at Your Furnace Flame
A furnace flame should burn blue and it may have a small yellowish tip. The blue flame indicates that the furnace is burning the gas safely and
efficiently. If the flame is any color other than blue, you need to contact a professional. This is not something a homeowner should attempt to fix.
Check the Pilot Light
If your furnace flame is out it will need to be relit. A homeowner can relight the pilot, however, please consult your owner’s manual for proper instructions. You will want to turn your gas off for 10-15 minutes before you attempt to relight the pilot. If you continue to smell gas, do not try to relight the pilot and call a professional.
Secure the Front Panel of the Furnace
Look at the front panel of your furnace. Is it secure? Some furnaces won’t operate unless the front panel is pressed in all the way.
If you experience any problem with your furnace, give these troubleshooting tips a try. Hopefully, one of them will solve your problem and you won’t require a service call from an HVAC technician. Of course, when in doubt, If you’re like most of us, you’ve already turned the heat on in your home. Nothing beats a warm cozy home on a cold day and throughout the winter we will rely on our furnaces to keep our families snug and comfortable. To get the most out your heating system, you’ll need professional tune-ups as well as some general homeowner upkeep. Like all other equipment, even with proper maintenance, your furnace may act up or even refuse to turn on. The simple troubleshooting tips listed below may fix your problem and save you the cost of having to call in a professional. Check Out the Filter Furnace filters can really get dirty. When dust and dirt clogs a filter it impedes the proper airflow. This can actually keep a furnace from turning on in some cases and will definitely lead to premature breakdowns. Hold your filter up to a light source. If light is unable to pass through the filter easily it needs to be replaced. Make sure when you replace the filter that the arrows are pointing in the direction of the airflow. Check Your Thermostat First, make sure the thermostat is set to heat. If so, set the temperature for at least five degrees higher than the current room temperature. Your thermostat may need new batteries. If so, replace them. If you have an electromechanical thermostat, you may need to open it and do a gentle dusting. Dirt and dust can gather around the coils and mechanical plates. Always dust with a soft paper or brush to avoid damaging sensitive parts. Also, check out the location of the thermostat. Make sure that it isn’t near sunlight, lamps, space heaters or any other heat sources that could be causing a false reading. Check Your Furnace Switch and the Electrical Panel Check the switch located near your furnace to make sure it is the on position. If it is, then you need to proceed to the electrical panel. Make sure that the power is turned on at the breaker box. More than likely, your breaker box will be labeled. If so, look for the HVAC breaker and make sure it is on. If you don’t have any labels, look for a breaker switch that is in the opposite direction from all the others. That is the breaker you will need to switch back in the direction of the others. You will want to flip the switch all the way off and then flip it on. You will hear a click. If your breaker continues to trip, contact a professional. Look at Your Furnace Flame A furnace flame should burn blue and it may have a small yellowish tip. The blue flame indicates that the furnace is burning the gas safely and efficiently. If the flame is any color other than blue, you need to contact a professional. This is not something a homeowner should attempt to fix. Check the Pilot Light If your furnace flame is out it will need to be relit. A homeowner can relight the pilot, however, please consult your owner’s manual for proper instructions. You will want to turn your gas off for 10-15 minutes before you attempt to relight the pilot. If you continue to smell gas, do not try to relight the pilot and call a professional. Secure the Front Panel of the Furnace Look at the front panel of your furnace. Is it secure? Some furnaces won’t operate unless the front panel is pressed in all the way. If you experience any problem with your furnace, give these troubleshooting tips a try. Hopefully, one of them will solve your problem and you won’t require a service call from an HVAC technician. Of course, when in doubt, Horne Heating and Air Conditioning is always available to offer you professional and courteous service. Horne Heating and Air Conditioning is always available to offer you professional and courteous service.
