Is your furnace malfunctioning?
While you generally should not try to DIY any furnace repair, there are some simple troubleshooting steps you can take before calling us, your friendly neighborhood HVAC professionals.
Each of these steps is safe and easy.
#1) Check the Filter
When a heater isn’t heating very well, the air filter is often the culprit.
A dirty air filter can clog up your system, ensuring it doesn’t work as it should. When the air can’t flow, the heater can’t heat.
In the most extreme cases, a dirty air filter can become a fire hazard.
If you see a dirty filter, replace it right away (and make sure it’s installed correctly).
#2) Check the Fuse Box
A tripped breaker is the next most common culprit for heater troubles.
Open up the fuse box, see if the breaker is flipped, and flip it back.
It seems simple, but a tripped breaker is easy to miss when it doesn’t shut down lights, the computer, or the microwave. The breaker trip can be quiet. It can even happen when you’re not home.
#3) Check the Thermostat
Sometimes, someone forgets to set the thermostat to “heat.”
Or someone comes along and turns down the furnace to the point where the heater no longer thinks it needs to turn on and heat.
Some furnaces require batteries, in which case you should replace them. Some get dusty, requiring you to clean them (gently) inside and out.
#4) Check the Pilot Light
You want to see a lit flame. It should be blue.
Colors other than blue indicate something is going very wrong with the gas, and you should turn off your heater and call for professional help right away.
If the pilot light is off you can relight it yourself, so long as you consult your owner’s manual for instructions. Most heaters will require you to turn off the gas for 15 minutes, then relight the pilot.
If you smell gas, stop immediately and call the fire department and the gas company. When it comes to gas leaks, the principle of “better safe than sorry” definitely applies.
Can’t find the problem? Call the pros.
We are happy to check your heating system and to find out where any problems may be occurring. We always look for the most cost-effective repair we can offer, because we understand how stressful a broken heater can be.
We’ll fix your heater fast so you can be toasty warm once more.
Call (832) 843-9930 to schedule services today.
