6 Furnace Troubleshooting Tips to Try Before Getting Furnace Repair
These furnace troubleshooting tips can help you restore heat without calling for furnace repair.
At General Heating & Air Conditioning, we have been in the furnace repair business since 1981. In that time we’ve helped our clients with all kinds of furnace problems, from major repairs to minor adjustments. You might be surprised just how often we get called out to fix problems the property owner could very likely have fixed themselves.
While we certainly understand than many clients prefer to seek professional help immediately whenever they experience a furnace problem, if you are willing and able to access your furnace and do a few simple adjustments yourself, the following troubleshooting tips can potentially help you avoid a call to the repairman, or at least pinpoint the problem with your furnace.
Is the Thermostat Properly Adjusted?
The very first thing to check in the event that your furnace isn’t producing enough heat is the thermostat. It’s possible the thermostat got jostled or someone changed the settings without your knowledge. Make sure the unit is set to heat and the temperature is set high enough. If you don’t hear the fan running, change the fan setting to on.
Is the Power On?
The next step is to confirm that the furnace has power. If you hear the fan running, you know the unit has electrical power. But if not, check the breaker and fuse for the furnace and reset if necessary. If this doesn’t work, you may have a problem with the control board, transformer, motor, or capacitor that will require professional furnace repair.
Is the Pilot Light On?
If your furnace is supposed to have a standing pilot light, make sure it is lit. Also, check that the very tip of the flame is touching the thermocouple. You may be able to fix your furnace simply by relighting and adjusting your pilot light, or you may need to replace the thermocouple.
Does the Main Burner Come On?
If the pilot light is on but the main burners don’t come on, you need to check that gas is flowing to the furnace. If the main burner tries to ignite but goes out, you may have a dirty flame sensor or a problem with the control board.
Is the Condensate Reservoir Empty?
If you have a condensing furnace that extracts extra energy from its own exhaust to reuse in heating your property, your furnace will have a condensate reservoir. If this reservoir gets too full, the furnace will shut off. In this case, you will need to check that the pump in the reservoir is working and the drain line is not blocked.
Does the Blower Come On?
Once the burners are working in the furnace, the blower should come on within 1 to 3 minutes. If this does not happen, you may have a problem with the blower motor. Before you tinker with this part, it is typically best to call a furnace repair pro to confirm your diagnosis and provide the necessary help.