7 Ways To Troubleshoot A Malfunctioning Furnace

Everyone knows how important a furnace is for comfort and survival, especially in winters. Or else, we’d find ourselves sitting in front of wood fires to stay warm. Isn’t it true?

So why not have a furnace at your home to make winters enjoyable? Although you should be aware that having a furnace is not an easy task. Because it needs proper maintenance and tune-ups to work efficiently. Hence, one must wonder about the best heating repair near me or “where can I get the best service for repairing my furnace”.

It must be surprising for you that furnaces, even with adequate maintenance, can break down and develop faults that cause them to stop working properly. Although it’s not a very hard task to find out what is troubling your system. You just have to be aware of the most common problems that can cause your system to work inefficiently.

So, if your furnace is causing problems or is not turning on, try these furnace troubleshooting tips before calling a professional.

  • Check the Air Filter of Your Furnace

The air filter should be the first thing you inspect. Yes! Because filters in furnaces become dirty over time. Dirt and dust can quickly clog the filter, obstructing circulation, lowering indoor air quality, and, in some situations, preventing the heater from turning on.

Additionally, excessive dust and filth can potentially constitute a fire hazard and cause early breakdowns. To avoid this situation, you can follow these points:

  • Before using the furnace, power off the thermostat and shut off the furnace switch.
  • Inspect your air filter every month.
  • Hold your filter up to a light source and see if it can pass light through easily. If it can’t, it needs to be cleaned or replaced.
  • Keep in mind that the arrows on your new filter should point in the direction of the airflow.
  • Make sure the access panel is correctly secured.
  • Have a Look at the Thermostat

The next step is to check the thermostat after ensuring that your furnace filter is clean. You have to look for these things while checking the thermostat.

  • Make sure it’s on the ‘heat’ setting.
  • Also, try to raise the temperature by at least 5 degrees over the current ambient temperature.
  • Replace the thermostat’s batteries if they’re dead. Or, If you have an electromechanical thermostat, you may need to open it up and dust it lightly. For that, brush off dirt and dust with a delicate paintbrush or something similar, paying special attention to the metal coils and contact plates. If your brush is too big, consider using a soft piece of paper.
  • Ensure your thermostat isn’t receiving any erroneous readings from sunshine, lamps, ovens, space heaters, or any other heat source by checking its placement. Because if the thermostat receives the incorrect input, it will produce the incorrect output.
  • Check the Switch and Panel

Sometimes the problem is not the thermostat or the air filter but power. So, examine the furnace switch, which is positioned close to the furnace. It is possible that the switch was turned off by accident. Attempt to turn it back on. If that doesn’t work, go to the power outlet. Check to see if the breaker or fuse box is turned on. These things may sound silly but can create serious issues.

  • Check the Flame of Your Furnace

You should know that the flame in your furnace should be a bright blue with a little yellowish tip. The blue flame signifies that your gas furnace is safely and efficiently burning the fuel. But contact a specialist right once if the flame is red, yellow, purple, green, or any other hue other than blue.

Check the Blower Motor of Your Furnace

Remember to inspect the blower motor. Because if that isn’t working, your furnace won’t be able to pump out warm air.

  • Have a Look at Electronic Ignition System

An electronic control system is standard on most updated furnaces. It is in charge of delivering greater performance while also assisting in energy conservation. Inspect the system for broken gas burners, damaged pilot lights, or gas leaks. Gas leaks can be harmful, so get in touch with a professional immediately away!

  • Clean the Flame Sensor of Your Furnace

Last but not least, a clean flame sensor is required to ensure that it can effectively detect and monitor the flames produced. Cleaning the sensor is easiest if you navigate and remove it from the system first. Cleaning it while it’s in place risks causing damage to the furnace’s interior components. However, if you’re having trouble with the process, hire an expert.

If your furnace is still not working after trying the above troubleshooting tips, contact an HVAC professional right away!

Especially If you are looking for the best heating contractor, Sacramento, CA, then we, Capital City Comfort, are the best choice available to you. Our team of experts excels at providing high-quality furnace repairs in real-time. So without any delay, give us a call at 916-390-0025.