The weather is finally getting colder, which means many of us are turning our furnaces on for the first time in months. It’s important to have your furnace checked by an HVAC professional on a bi-annual basis, but you’re bound to run into furnace troubles no matter how well you take care of your HVAC system. Here are a few things you can do to troubleshoot your furnace problems before resorting to calling a professional.
Check Your Thermostat
First, play around with your thermostat settings. Make sure it’s set to the ‘heat’ mode and that the temperature is where you want it, just in case somebody else in the home adjusted it. If the temperature is correct, turn it up a couple of degrees and see if that makes a difference.
If your thermostat is battery-powered, now is a great time to replace the batteries. A thermostat with a dead battery won’t be able to connect with your furnace, so take them out and put new ones in to see if it changes anything.
Check the Fuse Box
It’s possible that you’ve just blown a fuse and your furnace isn’t receiving power. Check the circuit breaker, or fuse box, and locate the ‘furnace’ switch. If your fuse box switches aren’t labelled, check for any switch facing the opposite direction of all the other switches and flip it back where it belongs.
Change the Filter
Not only does your furnace filter keep your indoor air clean, but it’s also specially designed to allow proper air flow. When your filter gets too dirty, it can cause air quality issues and overheat your furnace, causing it to shut off. That’s why it’s important to make sure your furnace filter gets changed on a regular basis, at least every 30-90 days. Check your furnace filter by taking it out and holding it up to the light. If you can’t see through the filter anymore, it’s time for a replacement. Be sure to check your filter’s size and strength so you can get the right one for your furnace.
Look for Gas Leaks
A more serious explanation for your furnace problems is a gas leak. Carefully check your valve to see if it somehow got turned off. It’s important to call an HVAC professional immediately if you smell gas. Gas leaks are a potentially dangerous issue that are best handled by an experienced HVAC technician.
Quality HVAC Services with Ellis AC
If these troubleshooting tips don’t work for your furnace, or if you suspect a bigger issue with your HVAC system, the experienced HVAC technicians at Ellis AC are always happy to help. We offer stellar HVAC maintenance, repairs, and replacements at prices you can afford, and our team always values the satisfaction of our clients above all else. When we’re done working on your system, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about what you can do to give it a longer lifespan and get the most out of it. Call or visit our website for more information or a free quote on our HVAC services today!