If you need to fix your furnace, your best bet is to hire an HVAC expert to troubleshoot, diagnose and fix the problem. Furnaces these days are highly complex and high-tech; most homeowners don’t have the necessary skills or expertise to do anything beyond changing the furnace’s filter. However, if your furnace is ailing, you can follow the steps below to troubleshoot the problem, and perhaps even avoid an unnecessary service call for a minor fix.
Here’s how to fix your furnace when:
The furnace won’t fire…
- But you hear the motor running; you may have a problem with the furnace’s venting. Check the outdoor vents, ensuring that nothing is blocking it like snow or other debris.
- Check the gas valve; it should be “on.”
- If these tips don’t resolve the problem, you need professional help.
The furnace starts up but the instantly shuts down…
- Check the condensate reservoir, if your furnace has one. If the reservoir is full, the pump may have failed.
- Change the filter. A dirty filter can compromise the airflow through the system, which is necessary for the system to function. Changing the filter may provide adequate airflow for the system to stay on.
- If these steps don’t work, you’ll need an expert to assess the furnace’s sensor, blower motor or other failing component.
There’s no heat…
- First, check the thermostat. If the indoor temperature is higher than the thermostat’s setting, the furnace won’t receive the signal to fire up.
- Make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” not “cool.”
- Check the circuit breaker. It’s possible that a fuse has blown or a breaker has been tripped. Flip the switch to the furnace back and forth a few times, leaving it in the “on” position. If the fuse has blown, replace it.
- When these tips fail, contact an expert for help.
After following these troubleshooting steps, if you still need to fix your furnace, contact the experts at Energy-1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We serve homeowners in Erie, Lorain and Cuyahoga counties with quality HVAC services such as furnace repair and maintenance. We’re happy to help our neighbors advance home comfort and energy efficiency.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace troubleshooting and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area