A breakdown in your furnace will undoubtedly be stressful and uncomfortable, especially during cold months. While waiting for the repair technician to come, you can take a few safe and simple steps to assess the situation. These steps might fix minor issues or at least help the technician make the diagnosis to identify the problem more efficiently.
Here, you will learn more about what you need to do before the professional arrives:
- Check Your Thermostat Settings
- Check for Power and Settings: Check whether the thermostat has power, especially the digital kind. If the display is not showing anything, maybe it ran out of batteries or the power source.
- Check the Temperature Setting: This may sound silly, but set the thermostat at least 5 degrees over room temperature to ensure the furnace is supposed to fire during the check.
- Switch to Heat Mode: Whether it is on “heat” mode or still on “cool” or “fan.” That does sound pretty simple, but it’s a common mistake!
- Check Your Furnace Power
- Find the Power Switch: Most furnaces contain a power switch, usually a standard light switch. Check to ensure it is turned on. It is often located near the furnace or on the side of the unit.
- Check the Circuit Breaker: First, locate your electrical panel and check that the circuit breaker for the furnace has not been tripped. If so, reset it by first turning it off and then on.
- Warning: Don’t keep resetting it if it trips again right away. There could be something more serious, like an underlying electrical problem, in which case it is best to wait for the professional.
- Check the Furnace Filter
- Find and Inspect the Filter: A blocked filter may be the only difference in your furnace’s working condition; worse, it just stops working. Check how this filter is by pulling it out of the furnace.
- Clean or Replace the Filter: If it looks dirty, clogged, and in need, insert a new one; if it is of the reusable model, clean it. Sometimes, these simple steps provide restored airflow and resolve minor heating issues.
- Tip: Be proactive and change the furnace filter every 1-3 months to avoid future breakdowns.
- Keep the Vents and Registers Clear
- Check Each Vent and Register: If your furnace overheats due to blockage within a vent, it could shut down. Ensure you walk around the house and that all vents and registers are open and not clogged.
- Remove Obstruction: Move the furniture, rugs, or obstructions to avoid blocking the airflow. The good air flow at home will ease the functioning of the furnace.
When to Wait for the Technician
If you have followed these processes and the furnace still doesn’t turn on, or the problem reoccurs, you can wait for the technician. Do not attempt to do deeper repairs, especially when dealing with gas or electrical components, since you’re likely to get injured or worsen the problem.
With this list, you may be able to fix minor issues yourself or at least help make the repair process much more manageable. By taking these steps in advance, you will be reassured that your furnace is taken care of promptly and safely.
