Troubleshooting and maintenance are crucial to keeping your furnace working properly. Here are some important tips to remember: Turn the power off before you attempt troubleshooting, inspect the heating element, and replace the igniter if necessary. Always consult your furnace’s manual and follow all safety precautions. Skipping these steps can cause more harm than good. Once you’ve identified the problem, call a licensed technician for furnace repair.
Troubleshooting a furnace
Heating systems have sequences of operations and most will follow the same procedure. Troubleshooting a furnace involves completing one process before moving to the next to identify a possible cause. The furnace’s safety controls and thermostat will be the Furnace Repair first two items to test when troubleshooting a furnace. Typically, the furnace will turn on when the thermostat is in the “heat” position. If the battery-operated thermostat is not turning on, it’s most likely due to dead batteries that prevent the signal from reaching the control module.
Next, check the heat exchanger for any problems. Look for air leaks near the burners. Check the supply and return air for CO levels. If these levels are elevated, it’s likely that the heat exchanger is not working properly. If these issues are present, replace the heat exchanger or the circuit board. Then, try heating the furnace and see how it responds to the changes. You might find that a minor problem was all it took to get it up and running.
Properly maintaining a furnace
If you’d like to avoid the high cost of getting a new furnace, you should be proactive about furnace maintenance. In order to prevent major problems and costly furnace repair, follow these basic maintenance tips. Flip the electrical power switch to “off” before starting any repairs. Next, remove the burner cover and combustion chamber door. They’re held in place by two screws each. Next, turn on the power switch and thermostat and check the flames on the burners. Yellow flames indicate that the burners are dirty and need cleaning. Occasionally, you might even breathe on the burners, which is a sign of an issue.
Before contacting a professional for furnace repair, check the venting pipe. If it’s a gas furnace, check that the pipe is secure and angled. The venting pipe may be different than the gas line and serve other systems, such as the air conditioning system. If the pipe smells like rotten eggs, it’s a sign that there’s a leak. If the smell persists, contact a service provider.
Calling a professional
When a furnace is not working, you may have to call a professional to get it fixed. If you suspect that the issue is related to the thermostat, it is important to do some simple maintenance on it. A malfunctioning thermostat can cause your furnace to run poorly or even give off a funny smell. You may also notice a high utility bill. These are signs that your furnace is not functioning properly and require a professional to fix.
In addition to inconvenience, DIY solutions usually only mask the real problem. Moreover, you may have to deal with a lot of physical damage if you do not know what to look for. Professionals have the knowledge and the proper equipment to diagnose the issues and get the job done quickly. If you do it yourself, you may only end up fixing a band-aid and damaging the appliance further. A professional HVAC technician can easily spot all the possible problems and fix them properly.
Finding a licensed technician for furnace repair
If you’re in the market for a furnace repair, finding a licensed technician is an excellent option. Not only will you be guaranteed quality service, but you will also be able to avoid the hassles of hiring a non-licensed technician. A licensed technician will have extensive training in the field and will know how to properly diagnose and fix the furnace. They will also be aware of current safety regulations and building codes, ensuring that your home or office is safe.
When you’re looking for an HVAC technician, make sure you choose a company with a strong online reputation. NATE is the largest organization that certifies HVACR service technicians. These companies are certified by manufacturers and distributors to ensure professional competence. They should also have worker’s compensation and general liability insurance. These insurances will protect you in case of any accidents or lawsuits. However, it’s still important to know who the HVAC technician is before you hire him or her.