We’re glad it’s not possible to become an HVAC expert after reading a 749-word article, or else there would be zero demand for O’Connor Heating & Cooling’s services. If you want to address every single problem your furnace could possibly exhibit, then we recommend trade school followed by several years of gainful employment at a company like our own.
But what if you just want to address the sorts of problems that inevitably pop up now and then? Then we’ve got good news: you don’t need a doctorate from Oxford to troubleshoot common furnace issues. If your furnace is refusing to turn on – or functioning poorly – simply do the following before calling the pros.
Check Filter
Filters, as you’re already aware, get dirty. They are designed to do so. By getting dirty over time, your furnace filter intercepts dust, dander, pollen, and other particulates before they can become lodged in your furnace’s moving parts and damage them. It also greatly improves your indoor air quality.
When it becomes too dirty, a filter forces the furnace to work harder to achieve its desired output. If you’ve noticed unreasonably high heating bills, low air flow, uneven heating, or short on/off cycles – or find yourself frequently adjusting the thermostat – then a dirty, clogged filter could be the culprit. Replace it, and see if that inexpensive fix is enough to restore full functionality to your HVAC system.
Check Thermostat
Once you have determined that the filter is not the source of your furnace issues, turn your attention to your thermostat. We cannot overemphasize the importance of regularly replacing thermostat batteries. Make a habit of doing so each autumn.
Turning on isn’t the only thing a thermostat must do, of course. It must also control the furnace. Try setting your thermostat 5 degrees higher than it is already set. If your furnace does not respond, then the thermostat is probably not sending signals correctly.
It is also possible that your thermostat is receiving false readings. If it’s near an oven, space heater or lamp – or simply catching too much solar radiation from a nearby window – then its placement may be the sole cause of your furnace issues.
Check Power
Your furnace may run on gas, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t also require electricity. Check its switch, which may accidentally have gotten turned off (e.g. by your children while they were playing, or your spouse while they were putting away Christmas ornaments).
If the furnace’s switch is already on, check your circuit breaker. If the switch corresponding to your furnace has switched itself off, then restoring your heat is as simple as flipping it back on again. TAKE CAUTION! If your furnace frequently flips its circuit breaker, that may indicate that your home has serious electrical issues.
Check Flame
If you see a flame inside your electric furnace, then you have much better things to do than read this article. But if you have a gas furnace, then its flame should be blue in color, and possibly have a yellow tip. A blue flame indicates that fuel is combusting efficiently and safely. A differently colored flame indicates a serious issue that a professional must handle for you.
Incorrect fuel combustion can cause a wide range of performance issues. Common ones include strange smells and/or noises, inadequate heating, frequent cycling, and excessive soot buildup in the vent. Again, a discolored flame isn’t a DIY kind of furnace issue. Call in the pros!
Is the flame in your furnace nonexistent? Then you will need to reignite the pilot light. Make certain to turn the gas off for at least 10 minutes before relighting the pilot. If you can still smell gas after turning it off, then you may have a gas leak. Evacuate your home at once, and don’t reenter until your gas company has given you the all-clear.
Secure Front Panel
The majority of furnaces are designed not to turn on if their front panels are loose. This is the simplest problem you could possibly address: fasten the front panel shut, and see if your furnace springs back to life in response.
Contact an HVAC Technician
If your amateur attempts at troubleshooting your misbehaving furnace have turned up bupkis – and your home or commercial property is situated in the Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota tristate area – then your next best step is to contact O’Connor Heating & Cooling for expert service. Our technicians can set any furnace straight!
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