Basic Furnace Troubleshooting Tips
It’s easy to panic when your furnace isn’t working but you don’t have to do that. There are a few easy things you can do that might get your furnace running again soon. If these don’t work, call us at Chad Love Services right away and we’ll get your heat back on fast.
Check the Power/Flip the Switch
Most furnaces have an electrical component controlled by a switch in the utility area. If this switch gets flipped, the furnace won’t get the power it needs to work. Sometimes, people run into these switches and flip them or think that they control something else and flip them. Next, check your circuit breaker or fuse box to make sure your furnace circuit is operational. Make sure your furnace has power before you panic.
Reboot Your Thermostat (or Replace the Batteries)
Sometimes, your furnace won’t turn on because the thermostat isn’t working. It may need new batteries or it may need to be rebooted, just like your computer does sometimes. If a lack of batteries is not the issue, test your thermostat. If it’s programmable, make sure that the program didn’t get erased or messed up. Finally, turn up the thermostat to make sure that it will turn the heater on and keep it running long enough to heat effectively. Need help with your thermostat? Call on Chad Love’s electricians.
Inspect the Drain Pan
The drain pan collects moisture from your heating system. It should empty on its own. If it doesn’t, it may trigger a system shutdown to avoid flooding. If your drain pan is full of water, make sure that the drain is clear and the trigger mechanism is working properly.
Make Sure You Have Fuel
Check the gas or oil supply. Make sure that everything is on the “on” position and that other appliances that rely on the fuel source are working. If they are not, contact your local utility company to find out what has gone wrong.
Check the Pilot Light
If your pilot light goes out, your furnace won’t be able to turn on. Make sure that the pilot light is lit. If it isn’t, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to turn it back on. If you’re not comfortable doing this, contact one of our experts to get that light back on fast. If your pilot light goes out regularly, you should bring in a HVAC expert to look at that, too.
Change Your Filter
Some furnaces won’t work properly if the filter gets too full or isn’t changed regularly. Take your filter out and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, it definitely needs to be changed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to get your new filter in place ASAP.
Get Regular Furnace Maintenance
Maintaining your furnace means making sure that it is running well and cleaning it out so it can run efficiently and well. This catches problems before they become major issues and means that you won’t have to call us nearly as often for repairs. Our team will make sure that your furnace is functioning optimally or do what needs to be done to make that happen.
Reach out to someone on our team at Chad Love Services today if you try these tips and they don’t work or you want some help troubleshooting your furnace problems. We’ll get your heat back on ASAP and help you stay warm all winter.