There’s nothing worse than waking up one day and realizing your furnace is broken. This problem is especially pressing if you need it for colder weather. Without temperature regulation, you and your loved ones may experience health problems at home.
Depending on the problem you’re facing with your furnace, some entail a lot more work than others. If that’s the case, you can always turn to Sanibel, FL furnace repair or similar services in your area for help.
But while taking care of a furnace can seem highly technical, there are a few simple things you can do yourself as a homeowner. Keeping your furnace in shape should be a balance of effort made with a little do-it-yourself experience. Then, you can leave the bigger tasks to the experts.
Here are a few helpful furnace repair tips you can use:
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1. Clean Or Replace The Filter
Topping this list is something you can do on your own regularly. It doesn’t take much to clean or replace the filter. Going through the manufacturer’s manual usually does the trick.
This maintenance task may seem very simple, but it’s one of the most important for two reasons:
- Dirty filters may destroy your furnace faster than expected.
- Dirty filters result in poor indoor air quality.
To know if your furnace filter needs cleaning, you should inspect it now and then. A good timeframe is once a month. Follow the instructions for cleaning washable ones. If you happen to use disposable filters, visit your home retail shop of choice to get a replacement.
2. Check All The Pilot Lights
Before you try relighting a pilot light, please go through the user manual to ensure you’re doing it the right way. A well-functioning furnace has both the furnace flame and pilot light on simultaneously.
Before relighting, check for any leaks first to avoid damaging the furnace even more. Some tell-tale signs include hissing noises, the smell of rotten eggs, and even houseplants dying for strange reasons. If you notice these signs, switch off the entire system, then call your local HVAC repair company as soon as possible.
For more about why you need an HVAC expert, check out this video:
3. Be Sure The Blower Motor Panel Is Shut
The blower motor panel should be kept shut at all times. However, there could be instances when the blower’s panel remains open.
If the blower motor panel isn’t pressed, use a safety device to stop the furnace from running. Once you’re done checking, close the blower motor panel properly this time.
4. Replace Thermostat Batteries
It may not be the entire furnace that needs replacing. There are other parts of your heating system that may have problems from time to time. The thermostat, in particular, quickly loses juice after long periods of use. Fortunately, batteries can be easily replaced.
Before replacing the batteries, give the thermostat a good clean first, especially if it’s dusty. Include the surrounding areas, as well. Use a soft brush to clean it, then finish by wiping it with a soft cloth.
5. Inspect The Air Ducts
The blower is running perfectly well, and hot air is coming out in most rooms. But for some reason, some areas of your home still feel drafty or chilly. If you’re experiencing this, it’s time to check your air ducts.
To start, inspect the handles that protrude from the ducts. One of the most important parts of a furnace is the dampers, which control the airflow. Check if they’re fully open. If some are closed, the dampers may be the culprit.
However, if the dampers are all open, the problem may lie in your ducts. They can either have holes, cracks, or gaps, allowing air to flow through and escape. This is why some rooms in your home are cold.
Repairing those holes and gaps is quite straightforward. Once you’ve identified where they are, seal them with a mastic sealant. This should be enough to solve the problem. If this doesn’t do the trick, then you’ll have to call in your trusted HVAC repair company.
Takeaway
When temperatures drop, there’s no denying how much you’ll need your furnace. If you haven’t stayed on top of its maintenance, you may risk drafty rooms, high power bills, and huge dents in your budget. Keeping your furnace in good condition is a combination of monitoring and immediate responses. Remember to call on experts if you need help.