Has your furnace stopped working and left you cold and confused. Sometimes the fix is simple and can be done yourself. Here is a list of a few things you can try at home to determine if you need to call a professional.
Make Sure the Power is “ON”
You’d be surprised at how easily this can be overlooked. This is the first step to troubleshooting your furnace. There should be a switch on the side of the furnace. And don’t forget to check the power breaker.
“Whenever electrical wiring has too much current flowing through it, these simple machines cut the power until somebody can fix the problem”.
Check Your Thermostat Settings
Often times unknowingly someone may have changed it to cool instead of “HEAT”. Make sure the thermostat is set to “HEAT”. Another quick fix is determining if your batteries are drained in your digital thermostat. Programmable thermostats require batteries that hold your settings. Most will give you a “low battery” warning about a month before they need replacement. Always good to change your batteries at least once a year. Set the temperature higher than the room temperature and see if the furnace kicks on.
Check Your Filter
Dirty filters are the most common cause of furnace problems. Change it or clean it. If your filter is really plugged up and you’ve changed it or cleaned it then you should reset the furnace.
To reset, turn your furnace off and then back on.
Check for Blockage Oustide
If you have a high efficiency furnace that’s venting with white plastic PVC outside the house, make sure it’s not blocked with snow.
Pilot Light
If it’s an older furnace, you will need to make sure the pilot is lit. Learn how to light a furnace pilot light when needed. The video will show you the step-by-step process for re-lighting a pilot light. Also read some of the important notes we suggest before getting started.
Gas Supply
Check to see if your hot water tank is working. If not, it may be a gas supply issue to the house. The gas line should be set on “Open.”
Contact a Heating Professional
If you still have not been able to get your furnace back on, it may be time to contact a heating professional. Not all furnace problems can be a Do-It-Yourself fix.
Take these few steps to get your furnace working again. Knowing your HVAC system is important and will ultimately keep you comfortable. If your furnace stopped working and these steps did not solve the problem give Alpine Temperature Control in St. George a call to give you a hand!
