What To Do Before Calling a Furnace Repairman
If your furnace isn’t running correctly, here are a few things you can do before you call a local furnace repair shop.
First, take a look at your thermostat.
If it has a display, make sure that display is on. If the display isn’t showing, you should replace the batteries (if it has them) and check your electric system circuit breaker to see if any circuits are tripped.
Even if the display seems to be showing fine, you can always change the batteries out to see if that helps.
Make sure the thermostat is set to the HEAT mode and the AUTO mode and that the temperature to activate is set at an appropriate temperature which would prompt the thermostat to start the furnace.
If it’s a programmable thermostat, make sure that the clock shows the correct time of day. Then step through the program to make sure the temperature settings are set correctly in order to prompt the furnace to come on.
If you have an older furnace that has a pilot light, and you have experienced problems with your pilot light going out before, you can check it and attempt to re-light it. Most problems with pilot lights are recurring and are due to drafts or a dirty pilot burner.
If you have never had a problem with your pilot light before, your current problem is probably not your pilot light. Plus, most newer furnaces have electronic ignitions instead of a pilot light.
If you haven’t used your furnace in a while, you could take a look at the gas supply line to make sure that is turned on, but it would be unusual for it to be turned off.
If your furnace runs, but it seems to run too long or seems to labor too much, you can take a look at your air filter. You can replace it with a new one and see if that makes any difference.
For most homeowners, this is about as far as you should go.
If your heating unit isn’t working, you should call an HVAC repair shop. Most homeowners should not mess with their heating systems if they don’t have the training to do so.
However, when your technician comes out to work on your unit, after he examines it, cleans it, and is ready to replace the cover, have him point out the key features of your furnace and what you should pay attention to in the future.
Ask him for some tips on what you could be doing to help maintain your unit going forward.
Also, if you have a gas fireplace or a gas water heater that you are having issues with, be sure to mention it to them while you already have them there in your house.
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