When temperatures drop and you turn to your furnace for help, only to find that it's not working, your first response may be to reach for the phone. Before you call the HVAC technician, make sure there's not a simple problem that you can fix on your own. Here are some troubleshooting tips for your furnace.
What to Do if Your Furnace Won't Work
If your furnace will not work, consider this furnace troubleshooting checklist:
- Clean the air filter. A clogged furnace filter will cause problems with airflow, and can damage the limit switch and stop the fan from running.
- Check the thermostat. If the thermostat's batteries are dead or someone messed with the settings, the furnace will appear as though it doesn't work.
- Check the pilot light. Older furnaces have a pilot light that can blow out, and that will prevent the furnace from running.
- Check for blockages. If the furnace is running but not providing sufficient heat, it could be because something is blocking the ductwork or the blower. Make sure that the heating vents are open as well.
- Check the circuit breaker on all panels leading to the furnace, and reset any fuses that have blown. If they continue to trip, contact an HVAC or electrical professional for help.
- Reset the motor using the reset button located near the blower motor's housing. Try again in 30 minutes if nothing happens.
If you have tried these furnace troubleshooting steps without success, or if you smell the smell of gas, then it's time to call in a professional. While many problems you can fix on your own, you don't want to put your family's health and safety at risk by trying to DIY a repair that is best left to an HVAC pro.
Trust Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical for South Bay Peninsula Furnace Repair
If these furnace troubleshooting tips won't work for your South Bay Peninsula or Santa Cruz home, the Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical team is here to help. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVC topics, or give us a call at (408) 868-5500 for help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).