Some people are a bit anxious about troubleshooting their furnaces. It’s hot, and it’s complicated, and they may fear that they’ll make whatever’s wrong with it worse. But this doesn’t have to be. There is some troubleshooting a layperson can undertake until the HVAC tech comes. Here’s a list.

When You Should Think of Basic Furnace Troubleshooting

Consider troubleshooting your furnace when you first suspect that something’s wrong with it. Some of these signs and symptoms are obvious. For example, the furnace simply doesn’t come on when you want it to, or you hear disconcerting noises such as rattles, bangs, squeals, shrieks, and growls as if your furnace is full of rabid animals. Other problems to take note of are:

• Short-cycling: The furnace switching off and on ceaselessly is called short cycling, and it stresses the furnace and may cause it to shut down.
• Bad smells: If you have a gas-powered furnace and you smell rotten eggs, don’t bother to troubleshoot it. This is the sign of leaking gas. Open the doors and windows, get out of the house, and call your utility company from a safe distance.
• Energy bill spike: Watch for a sudden increase in your energy bill even though you’re not using your HVAC system any more than usual.

How to Troubleshoot

Here are things to do if you discover the abovementioned signs and symptoms. Some, like the first tip, might go so well that you won’t even need to call an HVAC pro:

• Furnace not getting power: It’s surprising how often the furnace doesn’t work because it simply hasn’t been turned on, or its circuit breaker has tripped.
• Thermostat not working: The thermostat’s batteries may be fading, or it hasn’t been programmed to heat mode.
• Filthy air filter: An air filter with a fur of dust and debris can also stop your furnace from working the way it should, or working at all. Replace an old filter with a new one.
• Access panel security: You may be surprised to learn that your furnace reads a loose access panel as a hazard and won’t come back on until it’s secured.
• Pilot light off: Older types of furnaces still have pilot lights. If your furnace’s pilot light is off, relight it.
• Gas valve position: If you don’t smell gas, check the gas valve. The handle of the valve should be at a 90-degree angle to the gas line.
• Vents clean and open: Vents that are dirty and clogged can cause your furnace to short-cycle. Keep them clean and open.

It’s quite possible to safely troubleshoot your furnace and nursemaid it along until the HVAC professional comes. When you need furnace repair services in Central GA and the FL Panhandle, contact We Care Heating & Air Conditioning.