4 Things You Can Do to Troubleshoot Your Furnace Before Calling a Professional

Turning on your furnace for the first time can alert you to some issues that need attention. Being proactive can help you avoid headaches throughout the cold weather season.

Here are 4 simple steps homeowners can take to troubleshoot early season furnace problems and determine if a repair is needed.

1. Inspect your air filter.

Dirty air filters cause a number of problems, including restricted airflow, decreased efficiency and higher energy bills. If the filter is dirty, simply replace it with a new one (or clean it if it is a reusable filter). We recommend replacing all disposable filters every 30-60 days even if the manufacturer says they can go longer. (Air cleaner filters can go up to a year between changes.) Clean air filters are the simplest, most cost effective way to keep your furnace operating efficiently and effectively.

2. Check your thermostat.

Make sure that it is set on “Heat” and the temperature setting is higher than the current room temperature. At the start of the season, set the thermostat about 5 degrees higher than normal. This will kick start your gas furnace and begin warming your home. Once you are sure it is working, reset the thermostat to the correct temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, this is a good time to put in fresh batteries.

3. Open up your air vents.

Keeping vents closed in rooms you don’t use can actually make your furnace work harder and less efficiently. A good rule of thumb is to close no more than 20% of the registers in your home.

4. Look for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.

If your furnace does not turn on, check fuses or circuit breakers. These can be located on the furnace itself, or in a separate panel near the main entrance.

Chances are, one of these steps will resolve the problem. If you are still having problems, contact Indoor Air Quality. Our professional technicians are happy to help. Of course, it also makes good sense to have your furnace inspected annually.

Contact IAQ today to schedule your fall furnace inspection!