Quick Troubleshooting Tips For Your Furnace

Is your furnace no longer producing heat the way it should? Here are some quick troubleshooting tips to help you get your furnace back up and running the way it should.

Start with your thermostat

If your furnace isn’t producing heat, the best place to start is with your thermostat. The thermostat controls how often and how long your furnace runs.

• Check to see if the thermostat is on. It might have been bumped to an off position. Be sure it’s switched to “heat” mode.
• Adjust it several degrees higher and listen for the furnace to turn on. If it doesn’t, the problem is probably with your furnace.
• Check the programming mode to make sure it operates. It might be the batteries, or the unit itself might be malfunctioning.

Replace the filter

If the blower runs and the heat is compromised, it might be a dirty air filter. If hot air can’t flow through because of dust and debris, it causes the heat exchanger to switch off before it cycles completely. Manufacturers recommend changing them at a minimum every season, more frequently depending on your household.

Check the power

Is power running to your furnace? It could be a tripped fuse or a shutoff switch that no longer works. Start by looking at the furnace to determine if the switch to the unit has been turned off. If that’s on and it doesn’t have power, find the circuit breaker panel and ensure that the lever is in the on position.

Check the gas

For a natural gas furnace, ensure the gas valve closest to the furnace is turned on. While you can assume no one in your household would have messed with it, kids can sometimes play in areas they aren’t supposed to. You can also check to ensure other gas appliances are still working, and it’s not the overall gas supply to your home that has a problem.

You should also ensure the pilot light if it’s an older model is still lit. Newer models have a light that conveys it’s still working mechanically.

While you can do simple fixes, such as replacing furnace filters, be sure to leave more complex tasks for a professional, to ensure your furnace is working the way it should.