When the furnace fails, it always seems to occur when the weather is cold due to a lack of maintenance or overworking the heating system. If the furnace is old, it will lose performance and energy efficiency that occurs gradually making it harder to recognize. Most furnace problems should be tackled by your local heating and cooling specialist. But, there are a few things that you can do with little to no DIY experience to get the furnace working again. In this article, we will look at eight common furnace problems and how to repair them yourself.
1. Check the Thermostat
This may seem strange, but some people call their local HVAC specialist and then realize that their thermostat is not even turned on! So, if you are not getting any heat, it makes sense to check the thermostat first because this unit is the brains of the entire heating and cooling system. The thermostat should be set to the “Heat” position and the temperature should be set to a minimum of 5º above the ambient room temperature.
2. Check the Thermostat Battery
If the thermostat screen is dead or unresponsive, there may be a problem with the batteries. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of changing the batteries every year at the same time to avoid any problems. Inspecting the thermostat every month is a great idea because the display may flash to indicate that the battery is getting low on power. Other thermostats are powered via the mains and a problem with these units means a call to your local HVAC company.
3. The Thermostat Sensor
The thermostat sensor is extremely important, it’s how the system knows the ambient temperature, and this data is used for the furnace running times. The sensor can be confused if the thermostat is placed in a sunny spot where the sunlight heats it up. Another common problem is the accumulation of dust and debris which delivers false data that confuses the furnace. Open the thermostat casing and gently blow away any dust or dirt that you can see inside the unit and this may fix the problem.
4. Check the Thermostat Program
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, the lack of heating may lie in the programming. If the unit is set on a timer, there may be some confusion on when heat is required. In many cases, this is a simple error, and it’s easy to correct. This may occur when a major change is made to regular habits, such as vacation or long weekends.
5. Check the Circuit Breaker
The furnace requires power and if a power surge has occurred in the home, it can cause the breaker to trip. Check the fuse and the main panel to see if it’s been tripped and reset it to restore normal operations. If the fuse continues to trip, it’s time to contact your local HVAC company because there could be an underlying problem to fix.
6. A Clogged Air Filter
It’s strange, an air filter is a cause of many HVAC system problems, it’s easy to avoid and yet many people fall prey to these kinds of problems. Why? Well, an air filter change is easy to forget, the process is simple, but out of sight is out of mind and this is a problem. When the furnace is struggling to produce sufficient heat, it’s important to understand that the energy consumption is likely to rise too.
Many people believe that the primary purpose of the air filter is to clean their indoor air, but this is incorrect. Although some air cleaning does take place, it’s a side effect of the true purpose of air filtration. The air filter removes airborne particulates that may damage sensitive HVAC components. The entire HVAC system relies on a steady supply of air to run efficiently. If the airflow is compromised, it can cause overheating and performance issues. The system will attempt to compensate for the lack of airflow by working harder and this will consume more energy driving up your bills.
The simple way to avoid this issue is to change the air filters regularly. Set a schedule on your calendar or phone with an alert to remind you when this needs to happen. If you cannot remember when you last changed the air filter, do it now and set your schedule accordingly. An even better solution is to schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC system and this includes an air filter change.
7. Inspect the Burner Flames
Many common furnace problems are related to fuel contamination and this may be observed in the burner flames. The flame should be blue and steady and if they have turned yellow or are sputtering there is a problem. A dirty burner could be the cause and this is easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner attachment. To do this, turn off the power, shut-off the gas, and gently probe the area with the cleaner. You may be surprised at the amount of dust and soot that can accumulate in the burner unit. The best way to avoid these problems is to schedule an annual inspection and change the burner if it’s too dirty.
8. Keeping the Furnace Areas Clean
As we mentioned earlier, good airflow is important when you want your furnace to work efficiently. But there are other concerns, such as cleanliness and flammable materials. Unfortunately, many people use the area around their furnace as a storage area and they tend to forget about this space until they turn the furnace on. Any materials stored in these areas can be heated up and this can result in melting or even a fire. Even the accumulation of dust, lint, and debris can be a fire risk and they can smell bad when the furnace is turned on. Keep these areas clean, vacuum them regularly and the entire heating system will work more efficiently.
If you want to schedule some essential maintenance for your furnace or you have an existing problem that you cannot resolve, contact your local HVAC specialist today.