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Furnace Troubleshooting Guide: Keep Your Home Warm
Posted On: November 2, 2024
Is your furnace acting up? There’s no need to panic just yet! A few basic troubleshooting steps can often save you time and money, especially if the problem is simple. Here’s a guide to help you identify common furnace issues, understand their causes, and perform some easy fixes.
1. Check the Thermostat
- Problem: The furnace doesn’t turn on or doesn’t seem to heat effectively.
- Solution: Ensure your thermostat is set to “Heat” and that it’s on a temperature setting higher than the current room temperature. Make sure it’s powered on, and check the batteries if it’s a battery-operated model.
Tip: Clean your thermostat regularly. Dust can affect its functionality, causing it to misread the room temperature.
2. Inspect the Air Filter
- Problem: Reduced airflow or uneven heating throughout your home.
- Solution: A dirty air filter restricts airflow, making your furnace work harder and less efficiently. Inspect and replace your filter every 1-3 months, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Tip: Consider setting a reminder to change your filter each season to help your furnace run smoothly.
3. Check the Furnace Switch and Circuit Breaker
- Problem: Furnace won’t start at all.
- Solution: Make sure your furnace switch (located near the furnace itself) is in the “On” position. If the furnace still doesn’t start, check your circuit breaker to ensure the furnace’s circuit is not tripped.
Tip: If you reset the circuit breaker and it trips again, avoid further troubleshooting and contact a professional. This could indicate a more serious electrical problem.
4. Ensure Proper Ventilation and Clear Vents
- Problem: Uneven heating, weak airflow, or furnace shutting down unexpectedly.
- Solution: Inspect your home’s vents and make sure they aren’t blocked by furniture, curtains, or other obstructions. Also, check for anything blocking the furnace’s external vents.
Tip: Periodically walk through your home to make sure vents and registers are fully open and free of obstructions.
5. Look at the Furnace Pilot Light (Gas Furnaces Only)
- Problem: Furnace isn’t producing heat.
- Solution: For gas furnaces with pilot lights, check to see if the flame is lit. A functioning pilot light should burn a bright blue. If it’s off or burning yellow, you may need to relight it or contact a professional to address a potential gas leak.
Warning: If you suspect a gas leak, leave your home immediately and contact emergency services. Do not attempt to fix this issue yourself.
6. Examine the Furnace Flame Sensor
- Problem: Furnace turns on but shuts down shortly after.
- Solution: A dirty or faulty flame sensor can cause your furnace to shut off unexpectedly. Carefully clean the flame sensor with a soft cloth or emery paper, but ensure the furnace is off before doing this.
Tip: If this doesn’t fix the problem, consider calling a professional for further inspection.
7. Listen for Unusual Noises
- Problem: Furnace is making strange noises (banging, rattling, or screeching sounds).
- Solution: Banging noises can indicate issues with the burner, while rattling may suggest loose parts. Loud screeching noises often point to issues with the blower motor. Tighten any loose panels, but if the noise continues, call a technician.
Tip: Regular maintenance can prevent many of these issues from developing in the first place.
8. Inspect Blower Motor and Belts
- Problem: Furnace blows cool air or has weak airflow.
- Solution: Check the blower motor for dust buildup or worn-out belts. Dust can sometimes prevent the blower motor from working effectively, and old belts might need replacing.
Tip: Be cautious when working near the blower motor. It’s best to turn off the furnace completely to avoid injury.
9. Test Furnace Safety Switches
- Problem: Furnace won’t start or shuts off unexpectedly.
- Solution: Safety switches prevent the furnace from overheating. If they’re malfunctioning, they may need to be reset or replaced.
Tip: Most homeowners should avoid handling safety switches, as incorrect handling can lead to further issues. If you suspect a switch problem, consult a licensed technician.
When to Call a Professional
If you’ve gone through these steps and your furnace is still not working properly, it’s time to call a licensed HVAC technician. Additionally, any issues related to gas leaks, electrical faults, or complex mechanical components are best left to professionals.
Regular Maintenance Keeps Your Furnace Running Smoothly
Remember, regular furnace maintenance, like cleaning the blower and replacing air filters, can help prevent many common issues. A professional inspection at least once a year can ensure your system is ready for the colder months.
With this troubleshooting guide, you’ll be better prepared to handle basic furnace issues and keep your home warm and comfortable throughout the winter.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
May 11, 2020
We couldnt have been more impressed with Twintech - from our first service call with Mitch who took the time to thoroughly diagnose the issue with our furnace, to Dave who proposed a well thought out solution to meet our needs and finally Greg and team who acted quickly to install given we had no heat.
We did our due diligence by soliciting quotes from alternate providers and were shocked and disappointed by the aggressive and manipulative tactics used.
Twintech was honest in their approach, detailed in their product knowledge, reasonably priced, diligent in their follow-up and valued our business.
Well done Twintech! You made this a positive experience for us and our new furnace works beautifully!
May 10, 2020
We recently purchased an Amana high efficiency furnace and humdifier through Twintech. The work was completed very professionally and the quality of the workmanship was high. There was some additional sheet metal work required to complete the installation, which they were able to complete themselves. Overall I am very pleased with the work and would highly recommend Twintech for a furnace replacement.
May 9, 2020
We were very pleased with every aspect of the work that was done. They were very professional and polite. They arrived when they said they would and job was completed on estimated time
We would highly recommend them to whoever needed a recommendation
We have a very large dog and they were very understanding and respectful of him being around
May 8, 2020
The blower on our furnace stopped working leaving us with a cold house. Dave from TwinTech responded immediately to our HomeStars service request. From beginning to end Dave was nothing but helpful, friendly and professional, he did a great job of walking us through the quote and scope of work.
The replacement of the furnace went smoothly. The Guys did a great job, everyone was very friendly and polite. There were no hiccups, or unexpected costs. The only surprise was they left the work area cleaner than it was before they started.
Was a great experience with the whole TwinTech team. Its been a couple of months since the new furnace has been installed and its working great!
May 7, 2020
I heard about TwinTech when researching new furnaces at furnaceprices.ca. After contacting them about my broken down furnace, Dave came to my house the next day to assess my situation and requirements for a new furnace. He recommended one that had stainless steel heat exchangers which sold me since my previous furnace had issues with a rusted secondary heat exchanger that had to be replaced. Dave also set me up with an appointment with an energy audit company so that I could take advantage of a rebate to help improve the energy efficiency of my home and get some money back. A few days later, Greg, Grant, and Mitch came to install the new furnace and remove the old one. When delivering and removing the furnaces, they were very careful not to damage my floors and walls, and even laid out red carpeting to protect the floors. They were very friendly and professional. The installation was completed in the time they said it would take and they cleaned up their work areas. Within a week, Dave called to follow-up to see how everything was going. I have already recommended them to several friends and family members who may need new furnaces soon.
May 6, 2020
Twintech did a great job, from Dave the Sales Rep to the Office staff and The Professional Technicians who did the installation. They were professional, courteous, knowledgable and informative. From beginning to follow up we were completely satisfied with everything. Thanks Again. Sincerely The Laytons
May 5, 2020
Great product, great service, great follow-up. The Twintech Heating and Cooling arranged removal of my existing oil tank and they installed the new gas furnace Amana (made in USA). I am very happy with the final result and support I received throughout the process. My thanks go to the entire Twintech team for their professionalism, great communication and follow-up.
May 4, 2020
We've had Twintech provide us with work in the past, for an inground pool heater and required rough-in for a new gas stove. More recently they provided the same friendly, professional, timely and clean installation of our new furnace.
May 3, 2020
Reasonable price and the workmanship was prompt and timely and the employees were great to deal with.
May 2, 2020
The sales process was friendly, informative, and very consultative. They worked hard to earn our business by taking a careful look around our home to assess our needs, providing a lot of information about the product, and answering all our questions and finding the right solution for our home at a competitive price. They prepared us very well for what to expect on installation day, and the installation went very smoothly - no surprises, all very professional! They gave us a call after installation to ensure we were happy with the work. We're very happy that we chose to work with TwinTech to get our new furnace.
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