Turn Your Furnace on before It’s Cold to Catch Problems Early
The last thing you want when the cold weather arrives is to turn your furnace on and discover it is broken. Unfortunately, the team at Lancaster Brothers sees this scenario play out every year. Everyone turns their furnaces on about the same time and we get swamped with repair calls. We try to get to all of them as soon as possible, but the situation is never ideal. So be one of the smart homeowners who turns their furnace on early this year, stay warm, and avoid any hassle.
Furnace Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes, the problem may be easy to fix and you may not need a service call at all. Here’s a list of some of the most common furnace issues we see and a few troubleshooting tips to try this season that just might save you some money.
Furnace Won’t Turn On
- Check circuit breakers. A fuel-run furnace has some components that require electricity.
- Check the air filter. A dirty filter can block airflow, shutting down the furnace.
- Double check that the thermostat is set to Heat or Auto.
- Make sure the gas valve is turned on.
Special note: If your furnace contains a pilot light, your furnace may be outdated and in need of a replacement.
Related Read: Save Money with a Programmable Thermostat
Furnace Blows Cold Air
- Change air filter.
- Check that the thermostat is set to Heat or Auto. The “on” position keeps the fan blowing continually. However, if the furnace is not fired up, it’s simply recycling room temperature air.
- Make sure the gas supply is turned on.
- Check that the condensate drain line is not clogged. Clogs activate a switch that will prevent the furnace from lighting.
Furnace Makes Strange Noises
- Rattle: It could be loose panels, a misaligned blower, or a motor malfunction. The latter two require the skill of a technician.
- Clicking: Repeated clicking could be your control panel, the compressor, or a defective electrical relay. Again, you may need to call a technician to fix this.
- Grinding: Motor bearings may need replacement or a belt may require alignment – all jobs for a trained furnace technician.
- Squealing: The belt connecting the motor to the fan may have slipped or needs to be replaced.
Important safety warning: If you have a natural gas furnace, you need a carbon monoxide detector in your home, no matter the age of your furnace.
Related Read: Carbon Monoxide Safety – What Families Need To Know
If you have an older furnace (and you know who you are) start it up early so you’re not living without heat on a cold day. If you think this is the year you’ll need a new furnace, give us a call and we’ll fill you in on the great deals going on with Lennox. A new high-efficiency furnace will heat your home better and save you money on energy bills. Lancaster Brothers proudly installs Lennox furnace and air conditioning systems. Contact us for current rebates and special financing for qualified homeowners.