Did you know that not every furnace issue requires technical expertise? You heard us right. Sometimes, all you need is a little troubleshooting knowledge to carry out the task.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your reliable heating company in Blaine MN. We have been helping homeowners keep their homes comfortably warm and safe for over four decades.
Here are some do-it-yourself tips you can follow when your furnace gives you a headache instead of warm air.
Be on top of your filter.
Whenever you’re experiencing furnace issues, the first place you would want to check is the air filter, which cleans the air that goes into the furnace as well as the warm air that flows throughout the house. Air filters collect dust, debris, and other particles in the air. Over time, the filter gathers too much debris that it can restrict the air circulating through your furnace. This dirt buildup adds pressure to the furnace, causing it to work harder than it should. A dirty air filter blocks the airflow, resulting in a smaller amount of heat, a stressed-out furnace, mold buildup, higher utility and repair costs.
Without a doubt, dirty filters are one of the most common yet avoidable maintenance issues in residential furnaces. If you have a fairly new unit, you have less work to do because certain furnace models automatically shut down before too much dirt is collected, prompting you to clean or replace the filters. Unfortunately, older units don’t have this function and will keep on working—but with significantly diminished efficiency.
We recommend that your air filter should be replaced every 3 months, depending on how dirty it is. Set a monthly reminder to check your furnace filter.
To make sure you have the right filter, try these steps:
Remove the dirty filter to identify which type and size of filter your furnace is equipped with. Find the right replacement. Filters are usually available at hardware stores, home improvement stores or online. If you can, stock more than one filter. Look for the markings on the new filter that tell you which side of the filter should face the furnace. Slide the filter into place and put the cover back over it. Don’t forget to take note of the date you replaced your filter.
Check the burner flames.
The most common failures related to your burners can come from contamination. You will want to inspect your burners to make sure they are free from debris or any kind of impurity. Make sure your burners are clean and one way to do this is to look at the flames.
Check if the flame is blue and consistent, which means your burner is likely clean. If it is yellow, you probably have dirty burners. You can clean your burners with a vacuum cleaner. Just make sure to turn the power and the gas off before taking this step. Another area you should clean with a vacuum cleaner is the area around the blower.
Check your gas valve and pilot light.
If your furnace’s gas valve or pilot light is malfunctioning, chances are, your heating system will act up.. If the pilot light has gone out in your heating system, you need to light it up again. But before relighting it, make sure your gas valve is turned off. It may have been turned and left off accidentally, causing your furnace to produce less heat. Also, before lighting your pilot light again, turn off the gas for about 5-10 minutes to ensure that all fumes have evaporated and you can light it up the pilot safely.
Reset your circuit breaker.
In case your furnace fails to produce heat, resetting your circuit breaker can be an easy fix. If the thermostat is set to “HEAT” but the system is unable to heat the home, it’s possible that you have a tripped breaker or a blown fuse.
To check your breakers, go to your home’s breaker panel and look for the circuit that controls the furnace. You want to make sure it is set to the “OFF” position, or whether it’s in the middle. Flip the breaker back and forth. Then, make sure it stays in the “ON” position. This trick will reset the breaker. If this does not do it, you have a problem with either the wiring in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself. If so, consult an electrician.
Ask the Heating Gurus
If the problem seems too complicated, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning, your trusted Columbia Heights furnace repair company. We’d love to restore the heat in your home in no time.