As the colder weather arrives, we’ll soon be relying on our furnace to keep us warm. All it takes is one cold snap for us to remember how important it is to have a functional heating system. There’s nothing worse than having a problem with your furnace when the frigid temperatures arrive. Our team here at DTC is always available for heater repair, but there are some common furnace repairs which you can fix yourself, if you’re just a bit handy.
1. Thermostat Problems
We know, we know… this isn’t technically a furnace problem, but it is a furnace control problem. One of the most common “furnace problems” we encounter can actually be traced back to the thermostat. If your furnace isn’t heating your home, here are some things to check:
- Check that your thermostat is set in a heating mode and not cooling or fan-only mode.
- Change the setpoint of the thermostat to at least five degrees above room temperature to see if the furnace will kick on.
- How is your thermostat powered? If it uses batteries, now might be a good time to change them.
- If your thermostat detaches from the wall, remove the faceplate and gently blow any dust bunnies away from electrical connections.
- Ensure the date and time is set correctly on the thermostat. There may be scheduled programs that the thermostat is controlling to, and the incorrect date and time could cause your furnace to not operate as expected.
2. Furnace is Not Turning On
You’ve checked all your thermostat settings and everything appears to be in order – but the furnace is still not working. What gives?
First, don’t panic. There are a wide variety of reasons a furnace won’t turn on. One of the most common issues is a tripped circuit breaker. Find your home’s breaker panel and look for a circuit labeled “furnace” or “HVAC”. The switch should be set to “on” but if the switch is in the off or middle position, that could cause the problem. Try resetting it by flipping the switch back and forth, leaving it in the “on” position.
Still nothing? At this point, it’s possible that there’s a wiring issue that’s preventing your furnace from turning on. Another common problem is with the furnace door safety switch. The furnace door must be fully in place for the furnace to operate, and most furnaces have a sensor in place called a safety switch. If the switch is broken, wired incorrectly, or if the door is not closed, the furnace will not operate. Our team at DTC can help identify if this is the true cause and re-wire the switch if necessary.
3. Short Cycling
If you hear your furnace turning on, then off, then back on, then back off… that’s a sure sign of short cycling. And one of the most common causes of short cycling is a dirty filter.
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to replace your filter regularly. Dirty air filters can cause many furnace problems. One of the biggest issues with a clogged filter is reduced airflow. When there isn’t enough airflow, it can lead to overheating. That, in turn, can shut off your unit as a safety measure.
Most homeowners in Georgetown need to replace their filter at least once a quarter. However, if you have pets in your home, replace your filter more frequently. Another reason to replace more frequently is if there is anyone in your household particularly sensitive to allergens or if they have asthma. In these cases, replacing your air filter every month can make a big difference.
A common misconception is that if a filter looks clean, then you don’t need to replace it. Don’t let your eyes deceive you! The purpose of an air filter is to trap even tiny particles. So if there are enough particles where your filter looks visibly dirty, it’s been too long since your last replacement.
Call DTC for Furnace and Heater Repair
A furnace is really a complex piece of mechanical equipment. If our above DIY tips don’t help you get back to heat, it’s time to hire an experienced furnace repair professional to fix your system safely. So if you need furnace repair in Georgetown, TX call the experts at DTC.