Oh no! Your furnace isn’t working and you’re getting cold at home. Sure, you can call in a professional for help but you might be able to solve the problem yourself. Here are a few things you can do the next time your furnace stops working. You may be able to get your heat back on fast, before you get too cold at home.
Look at Your Air Filter
Open up your furnace and pull out the air filter. If it is very dirty or clogged, your furnace won’t be able to get the air that it needs to function properly, or it might be working extra hard to get that air. Either way, this can hamper the way it is functioning and reduce your airflow to a level that will not heat your home. Change the filter to fix the problem.
Examine Your Pilot Light
If you have a gas furnace but your pilot light is not on, you might have a problem with your ignitor or the sensor that works alongside it. This is often the case if you hear clicking or a startup cycle initiating, but the furnace never actually turns on. You can use your furnace’s manual to find out how to clean the sensor or you can give us a call at Valley City Mechanical and we’ll do it for you.
Test Your Thermostat
Make sure that your thermostat is set properly. Ensure that it is set to HEAT and that the fan is set to blow continuously or is on AUTO. You’ll also want to make sure that the temperature setting is significantly higher than the indoor air temperature at the time of testing. Finally, turn your thermostat up as far as it goes to see if that helps your furnace kick on.
Try the Power
Sometimes, the power switch next to your furnace can get bumped. Since even gas furnaces use some electricity, this will effectively turn the furnace off. You should also check the fuse or circuit breaker associated with your furnace to make sure it didn’t flip or blow, which will also keep the furnace from turning on.
Monitor the Gas Supply
Check the gas lines and valves to make sure that they are all the way open so that your furnace can receive fuel through them. If you smell gas or propane, though, close the valve and call us at Valley City Mechanical for heating repair.
Call Valley City Mechanical for Furnace Inspections!
If you think the issue is something that needs professional furnace service call Valley City! We are always happy to take a look at your furnace and troubleshoot issues, or show you how to do the things listed above. Call us today or whenever you need help with your furnace and we’ll be there soon!