In the modern world’s ever advancing landscape, there is one thing that we still need in order to be comfortable, and that is a heated home. Furnaces are the modern solution to that need. While these heating units have been condensed to a more manageable size, and the design has been improved upon over the years, they are still intricate machines that need regular maintenance.
We are lucky enough to be alive in a time where computers and technology have advanced so far that we are able to achieve what was once deemed impossible. We can use our handheld phones and video chat with people on the other side of the globe. Yet fixing a furnace can still seem like the most complicated thing in the world.
But we don’t want you to stress about that broken furnace too much. Arco Comfort Air is here and ready to share some helpful tips on what might be going wrong and what you can do to make it right.
Helpful Tips for Troubleshooting Common Furnace Issues
Here is some simple advice on how to troubleshoot your furnace issues. Check out these tips below to find out if your furnace just needs a simple fix!
- Check your thermostat! If it is set to “on” then your furnace will be blowing out air constantly, regardless of whether the heating unit is working. If you change the thermostat setting to “auto”, then the fan will only kick on when the heating unit does.
- Check the Pilot light! Older furnaces can be notorious for this issue. Bad ventilation can cause the pilot light to get blown out, especially if there are vents near your furnace that lead to the outdoors. If you do find that the pilot light has gone, there are a few different things you can try.
- Just re-light it. If it stays on, you did it! Pat yourself on the back and grab a snack. Your work is done.
If it does light, but flickers out again, you might have a problem with the thermocouple. This can be pretty tricky to replace, and unless you already know what you are doing, it’s probably better to contact a professional. If it doesn’t light at all, make sure that you have gas flowing. The gas switch should be set to “on”. It’s possible too that your pilot light is just a little dirty. Try cleaning it up a bit and see if it will stay lit. - Overheating. Your furnace may have overheated. There is a safety switch that trips when your furnace gets too hot, and triggers cold air to turn on, allowing the unit to cool down to a safe temperature. This can happen because of dirty air filters, so we can’t stress enough how important it is to check those regularly. Sometimes cleaning that filter will be the answer to more than just one problem.
Since every situation is unique, and the repairs needed on your furnace can depend on the age of the unit, it is important to note that these aren’t always going to be sure fire solutions. Sometimes the best way to deal with these issues is going to be calling a technician who is well versed in furnace maintenance. Luckily, you’re already halfway there! Give us a call and we would love to come take a look at the problem. After all, our greatest achievement is always going to be keeping you comfortable in your own home.
