5 Simple Furnace Fixes All Homeowners Should Learn

February 3, 2015

Furnace malfunctions can leave you with an uncomfortably cool home. The following simple furnace fixes can help you get the problem resolved quickly without having to call in a professional.

Test the thermostat. First, make sure the thermostat is on the "heat" mode. Next, dial it up five degrees above the displayed room temperature and wait to see if the furnace starts up. If the display is blank, try replacing the batteries.

Check breakers and shutoffs. If your furnace won't start, check to see if the main shutoff switch was accidentally flipped. Most look like standard light switches, and they're situated on or close to the furnace. Next, make sure the blower compartment cover is properly in place and depressing the small startup switch behind it. Lastly, check whether the furnace breaker in your main electrical panel has tripped.

Replace the filter. A furnace filter that's clogged with dirt and debris can cause airflow restrictions, which leads to inefficient short-cycling that won't warm your home sufficiently. When an extremely dirty filter severely restricts airflow, the high limit switch is triggered and will shut down your furnace to prevent a fire. If you're curious about how to select the correct filter for your system, read more about the types of filters and what MERV ratings mean. 

Inspect the ductwork. If some areas of your home won't warm up, examine the accessible ductwork that supplies air to those areas. Seeing a handle sticking out of your duct indicates that there's a damper on that section that needs to be changed to the open position for warm air to flow through. Fix any disconnected sections, and seal up any gaps or leaks with metal-backed tape. In certain situations, you should have a professional seal your ductwork especially if you're considering mastic sealing. 

Check the pilot and gas valve. If your older furnace isn't producing heat, the pilot may have gone out. Just follow the manufacturer's instructions to relight your pilot. Another possible culprit is a closed gas valve. Follow the gas line from your furnace to locate the valve handle and make sure it's open or parallel to the pipe. If these simple furnace fixes don't solve the heating issue in your Des Moines home, contact Lozier Heating & Cooling for expert advice.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: Snappa