When your furnace stops blowing warm air in the winter, your first inclination may be to reach for the phone to call an HVAC tech. However, before you make that call you should check these issues to make sure a visit from a professional is really necessary.
Pilot Light Is Out
A pilot light that is out could mean one of two things. Hopefully, it is just out and relighting it will get you back on your feet. If you can't get it to light than there is something wrong with the energy supply and it is time to call in a pro. Fortunately, relighting a pilot is not hard. Following the directions in the manual, turn the furnace energy source completely off, and then to pilot. If you have a self-lighting pilot, push the button that controls that feature, otherwise carefully light the pilot with a match or lighter. Once the pilot is burning brightly, switch the furnace back to on and enjoy the warm air.
Furnace Filter Needs Changing
When is the last time you changed your furnace filter? It may have been longer than you realize. You need to change your filter at least twice a year, but if you have children, pets, or use filters with extra filtration it may need to be changed more often. As the filter fills, the furnace has to work harder to pull air through it. Eventually, the furnace will stop running so it doesn't get damaged trying to circulate air. Fortunately, all you need to do is replace the filter and the furnace should start running again. You should also mark the next change date on your calendar so you don't end up in this situation again.
Thermostat Is Dead
Your furnace won't turn on if the signal isn't reaching the furnace. You can test your thermostat by turning on the air for a couple minutes. If your air conditioner is wrapped up for the winter, or you want to further test the system, turn the power off to your HVAC system and remove the thermostat panel. Connect the two wires labeled heat directly to each other and turn the power back on. If the heater comes on, then the thermostat is to blame. IF you are careful to keep children and pets away from the exposed wiring, you might want to let your home heat up a little bit before you turn the power back off and replace the thermostat.
Having your furnace die can be a serious problem if you live in an especially cold climate, but you shouldn't panic. Many furnace issues are simple to solve if you take a few minutes and check for them. Of course, if you are pressed for time or cannot find the issue, bringing in a professional is the best choice.
Share9 August 2016
Does your air conditioner smell, make loads of extra noise, or fail to cool your home? If you have noticed any of these problems, there might be issues with your air conditioning unit. Fortunately, you don't have to let a bum system make your home stuffy and uncomfortable. Professional heating ventilation and air conditioning contractors can snap your AC unit into shape in no time. By carefully checking your condenser and evaluating your refrigerant levels, the experts might be able to dramatically improve the cooling capacity of your home unit. Read here to find out how to spot problems before they make your space uncomfortable.