Occasionally, furnace troubles can leave you shivering, but the problem might not be serious enough to warrant a visit from your HVAC pro. Try the following tips to troubleshoot the issue first, before you call for expert help:
- Make sure your thermostat is working. If it’s digital, it may just need a new battery. With an older, dial type, cleaning the contacts might help.
- Check the thermostat settings. To have any warm air circulation, it must be set on “heat.” If you’re feeling periods of cold airflow, the fan may not be set on “auto” so it only runs when heating is underway. You should also check that the temperature is set above the current room temperature. If it’s not, increase it by three to five degrees.
- Replace or clean your air filter. A dirty filter can cause two different problems. A moderate build-up of dirt can reduce the amount of warm air that’s distributed. A heavy accumulation can cause a system shut down to prevent overheating.
- Check that your gas valve is open. It should be located down the gas line from the furnace. If the handle is parallel with the gas pipe, you’ll know it’s all the way open.
- Search for a blown fuse or tripped breaker. First, check the appropriate circuit breaker in your main electrical panel. If necessary, check the breakers and/or fuses inside the furnace blower compartment.
- Make sure the pilot is lit. Older units typically have pilot lights, and yours may need relighting. Look for a lighting guide right on the furnace, next to the pilot opening. Alternately, there should be instructions in the owner’s manual.
If the above tips don’t solve the problem, it’s time to call a professional. A trained technician may tell you that your intermittent or hot surface ignition needs attention, that your gas burners require adjustment, or that there’s inadequate airflow to the combustion chamber.
If furnace troubles are affecting the comfort in your Lorain, Elyria or Oberlin home, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve served the HVAC needs of Northeast Ohio homeowners for more than 30 years.
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 furnaces 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