Furnace Troubleshooting Tips Before You Call a Pro
Starting off the New Year with a furnace that doesn’t provide you and your friends or family with the necessary heat isn’t exactly ideal for anyone. In fact, it could be a huge nuisance, especially if you have people visiting from out of town. Though there might be a greater number of warm bodies in the home, that doesn’t exactly guarantee a warmer home.
Even well-maintained and energy-efficient furnaces break down from time to time. That’s just a simple fact of life. With the holiday season upon us, we could all use a little extra money in our pockets.
At Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning, our goal is to help out customers in whatever way we can, and right now, that’s making sure you don’t have to stress over paying for a furnace repair unless the job clearly calls for a licensed professional! Before you call a pro in to address any repair issues, try these troubleshooting tips!
There are many reasons why your furnace may need troubleshooting. Here are a few small things you can do at home to check if your furnace just needs minor adjustments before you call a professional.
If there is no heat output: check to make sure that the thermostat is set to “heat”, that the circuit breaker hasn't tripped or blown a fuse and that the gas valve is turned on.
If there is inadequate heat output: change your air filter, make sure that the gas burner flame is a solid blue color and that there is no obstruction blocking the combustion air chamber or direct-venting intake.
If the unit is short cycling: Try adjusting the metal pointer located on the back on the thermostat by one or two notches.
If you hear loud noises: Turn off your furnace and have it checked immediately. Loud noises can be the result of a serious issue.
If the blower runs continuously: Make sure that the thermostat isn’t set to “fan.”
If you have tried these tips and your furnace is still acting up, don’t hesitate to contact Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning for professional troubleshooting services today!
FURNACE TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
If there is no heat output:
- Check to make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” mode and set to a degree that’s higher than room temperature.
- Search your circuit breaker or fuse box for any tripped breakers or blown fuses.
- If this is the first time you’ve turned your furnace on, it’s possible the gas valve may be off. Make sure the furnace is turned off before turning the gas valve back on.
If there is inadequate heat output:
- Changing your air filter is of the utmost importance. If you don’t regularly change them, this could be the culprit as a dirty and clogged filter reduces airflow. You should check your air filter every month and wait no longer than 3 months to replace it. Write the date of installation on your filter with a Sharpie marker so you know exactly how long it has been since its last replacement.
- Your gas burner flame should be a sharp blue color, so if it isn’t it should be cleaned. Red, orange, and purple colors can indicate a problem with your air-to-gas ratio.
- Something might be obstructing the combustion air chamber or direct-venting intake.
If the unit is short cycling:
- If your furnace is cycling on and off frequently, the problem could be a setting error with the heat anticipator in the thermostat. You can try combatting this by adjusting the metal pointer on the back of the thermostat one or two notches. You can also refer to the thermostat’s owner’s manual or this thermostat troubleshooting guide.
If you hear loud noises:
- If your furnace is making loud noises, address the issue promptly. It could be a minor problem; however, it could also mean something much bigger. If you’re hearing grinding noises, turn the furnace off and call your local HVAC company. Possible problems are a failing blower motor, a loose or worn belt, or a dirty gas burner.
Blower runs continuously
- Check to see that your thermostat isn’t set to “fan” mode. This setting calls for continuous blower operation whether the heat has been activated.
For more furnace and heating equipment safety tips and advice, see our other blogs on the topic:
- Gas Furnace Safety Tips for Fire Prevention Week
- Hazards and Dangers of Natural Gas Furnaces
- Furnace Tune-Up Maintenance Tips
- How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Leaks
- Scary Furnace Sounds and What They Mean
- 5 Heating Season Tips
For tips on how to save money and make your home more efficient this winter, read these blogs:
- Furnace Winterization Checklist
- How to Seal Air Leaks Around the Home
- Fall Home Maintenance To-Do List
- HVAC Maintenance Checklist
If you haven’t had your heating equipment inspected yet, we recommend signing up for our Maintenance Plan for FREE tune-ups and 20% discount on all repairs.
Call us anytime for 24/7 service with NO OVERTIME CHARGES: (405) 794-8900. We're open all year long, even on Christmas and New Year's!
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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