Picture this: It’s Christmas morning, and you awake with a chill. You check your thermostat, and it’s reading at 42 degrees, just a tad higher than the outside air.
You thought you might have been experiencing furnace problems but were too busy to look into them until it was too late. Now your in-laws are due over in t-minus 6 hours, and you’re expected to host them in your almost-freezing house.
Heating a home is the main job of your furnace, but in doing so, it provides a safe and comfortable environment for you and your family. You can avoid this horror story by being proactive and looking into issues immediately. Keep reading to learn the most common problems you’ll encounter, how to troubleshoot them, and when to call for help.
1. No Heat or Inadequate Heat
One of the most frustrating furnace problems is when your furnace won’t turn on, or if it does, it’s not producing enough heat. Luckily, you can troubleshoot some of the common causes of this issue on your own. It may seem obvious, but first, you should check if your thermostat is on and, if so, if it’s set to the heat setting.
For example, if it’s set to fan, it will force air through your vents, not heat. Next, you can check to see if your filter is clogged. Lastly, your pilot light might be out.
In some cases, you can follow the instructions on the side of your furnace to reignite the pilot light. But if it doesn’t stay lit, you can have a problem that is not something you can easily fix on your own. So, if you’ve ruled out the other common culprits, you should call in a technician to take a look.
2. Your Furnace Is Short Cycling
Your furnace is designed to cycle on and off to maintain your chosen temperature set point. However, if you notice it kicks on for several minutes without heating the space, your unit is short cycling. This can be due to a safety feature of your furnace that shuts it off if it’s overheating.
Often, overheating can be caused by an absence of airflow, which you can sometimes remedy by replacing a clogged air filter. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to hire an HVAC professional. You can check out this website for heating services to get started.
3. Excessive Noises
Your home furnace is never completely silent, but if you notice some out-of-the-ordinary noises, you may be due for furnace repairs. For example, a subtle hiss or whoosh as your unit turns on is normal, but knocking, squealing, or grinding is not. These noises can be attributed to loose parts, an issue with your fan belt, or a motor that needs replacing.
Unless you’re well-versed in these repairs, your best bet would be to call in an expert.
4. Problems With Your Thermostat
If you’ve looked into the furnace issues above and have ruled out their causes, your next step is to check out your thermostat. First, ensure that your thermostat is matched to your furnace. Next, you need to verify that it’s receiving power and is free of dust and debris.
Furnace Problems Are Often Better Left to the Professionals
Dealing with furnace problems can be a frustrating endeavor. But remember, you don’t have to go through this alone. Instead, consider contacting your local experts in residential heating.
They have seen it all before and can get your heating system back up and running in no time.
If you enjoyed this article, you should explore more in our Home Improvement section.