Repairing your home furnace isn’t always an easy task; however, bringing in an emergency furnace repair contractor to do the job for you could also be expensive and even unnecessary. That being said, it is important to know some basic furnace troubleshooting steps you can do for your furnace in case you experience some issues. Your knowledge about your heating system can go a long way and can even help you save up on repair costs.
Every homeowner should remember to not disregard any problem observed with their HVAC unit. Doing so could potentially make further damages to your furnace and even your property. When problems arise and they are dealt with accordingly, you basically extend the life of your furnace while making sure you are not spending more than you need to. More than that, addressing furnace problems immediately will give you and your family the safety and warmth that you need.
Are you ready to do some troubleshooting steps? Read on and enjoy!
Clogged Filters
If your home is experiencing poor quality of air, low air flow, insufficient or even no heat, or if your furnace’s heat exchanger is overheating, all these could be caused by clogged filters. A filthy filter will definitely affect the quality of air that is distributed throughout the home. It also restricts air flow which usually causes the heat exchanger to overheat and make some serious damages to the entire unit.
Troubleshooting Steps:
- Turn off the furnace and the thermostat.
- If you already know where to locate the filter, go to the spot and replace the dirty filter with a new one.
- If unsure of where the filter is located, refer to your user’s manual for instructions.
- If you are not comfortable getting your furnace filter replaced, you can also contact an HVAC professional to replace it for you.
Air Flow Problems
A heating system that overheats and has a problem producing or maintaining heat may not be getting a sufficient amount of air it needs to function properly. If there is not enough air flow, it can cause a furnace to either shut down or in worst cases, start a fire. Air flow problems could also be caused by damaged fan motors or belts.
Troubleshooting Steps:
- Inspect the condition of the fan belt. If it is already worn out, replace it.
- If you have an old furnace, you may need to grease some of the bearings.
- Check for any blockages in the vent. If any, turn off the furnace and attempt to clear out the debris.
- If none of these steps work, call a professional HVAC contractor.
Thermostat Malfunction
Is your furnace frequently cycling on and off or having wild temperature swings? All these and more could be brought about by a faulty thermostat. Whether your thermostat is wired to your home’s electrical system or battery operated, there are basic things you can do before calling in an HVAC technician to get it fixed.
Troubleshooting Steps:
- Make sure that the temperature setting of the thermostat is set to a heating position. Adjust the level of heat as needed.
- If your thermostat is powered by batteries, you might want to replace the battery especially if the thermostat has no signal.
- For those who have electric thermostats, it is also important to check for any loose wirings. Also make sure that there is power supply.
- If all steps fail, you might have to change your thermostat. As always, you can ask for recommendations from a trusted technician.
Pilot or Ignition Control Issues
The pilot light serves an important function of igniting your furnace so that the heating cycle begins. When the pilot light is off or when it does not stay lit, it could be because the space for the pilot light is dirty which also causes the thermocouple to malfunction. The thermocouple plays a role in making sure that the pilot light is on before gas is released. Not having the pilot light on but with the gas on could potentially start a fire.
Troubleshooting Steps:
- Apply pressure on the pilot light.
- Make sure that the gas valve is open.
- Check if the thermocouple is loose. If so, slightly tighten the nut.
- Adjust the pilot light.
- If none of these work, call an HVAC expert.
Noises
Your furnace should be able to provide warmth without creating so much noise. Unusual banging and clanging in your furnace could mean it has some damaged working parts, dirty burners, gas leaks, failing motors, or simply due to an overworked heating system.
Troubleshooting Steps:
- The best way to resolve noisy furnace is to either clean the furnace filter or clean the entire heating system.
- Contact HVAC technician to make an accurate assessment of the situation.
These are but a few of the furnace troubleshooting steps that anyone can do when faced with some furnace troubles. Remember that although an issue seems to be minor, it still needs to be remedied the soonest time possible.