3 Common Furnace Issues and How to Fix Them
It’s winter, and depending on where you live in the country, the temperature may have dropped quite a bit. Your furnace will be more critical than ever during the cold winter months, especially if you live in a place like Indianapolis. Then you know that Mother Nature can dish out some rough temperatures.
Unfortunately, things always don’t work out as they should, and if you are unlucky, you might get some problems with your furnace. Getting a furnace repair is definitely the best option, but getting a person on call could be tricky during the holiday season. This article will tell you about the three most common furnace issues and how you can identify the problem, its always best to ,seek professional help.
Thermostat is Malfunctioning
If you suspect that your furnace is broken and not providing the heat you expect, you need to investigate it. Look for the “usual suspects,” things such as broken or leaking hoses, to see if that is the possible reason for the furnace acting up. If you don’t find anything, the thermostat may be broken.
There’s no point in panicking; it could be a good thing if this is the case. It’s relatively easy to fix, and it’s not that expensive compared to problems with the actual furnace.
The thermostat could be broken for many reasons, including aging wiring or dust accumulation. Look at the thermostat if your furnace: stops producing heat altogether, produces less heat, produces irregular amounts of heat, or cycles more frequently than it should.
If you suspect that the problems stem from the thermostat, you should clean it off from any debris or dust. Double-check that you haven’t mismatched components; miscommunication between the thermostat and the furnace can cause complications. Also, check the wiring. This is safe as the low-voltage thermostats have small-gauge wires. Tighten or loosen up connections, and if needed, make replacements.
Not Producing Enough Heat
A furnace that isn’t broken but instead struggling to produce enough heat is different from completely stopping. The first place to start looking is in the air filter. Make sure that it’s clean. Usually, you get a lot of dust, debris, and dirt here, so clean it up or, if needed, buy a new one. Make it a habit to regularly check on your filter and ensure it isn’t clogged. A clean air filter will ensure that you get nice airflow.
All you need to do is locate the filter (usually located in the intake or in the furnace itself), check on the filter (use a flashlight, if no light shines through, you need to change it), and replace it if needed. Before you replace it, make sure that the furnace is turned off. You don’t want air coming out. Make sure you don’t install it upside down. This can impact its effectiveness.
Problems With the Safety Switch
If the furnace isn’t operating, one of the first things you should do is inspect the safety switch located on the door. The safety function is to ensure that the fan and burner don’t start while the access panel is removed.
The switch pops out when you remove the door. In order to activate the switch, the door must be in position for both the switch to activate and the furnace to work. If you have noticed that something is wrong with the safety switch and you need to install a new one, Turn off the power, prep the blower door, wire the safety switch and check and test the installation.
When dealing with faulty furnaces it’s best to get help from professionals, who can not only identify the problem accurately but ensure repairs are made in a timely and safe manner.
