If you think your furnace needs repair, there are a few things you can try before you call a professional. You can try cleaning it or relighting it. If this doesn’t work, you might want to call a professional. Hopefully, this article will help you fix your furnace without breaking the bank.
You can start by checking to see if the power switch on your furnace is in the “ON” position. If it is, then your furnace is not running, and you need to switch it on. Next, check the fuse and circuit breaker that controls your furnace’s power source. If these fail to work, you may need to call a technician.
Another way to check the health of your furnace is to measure the temperature rise. You do not need any special equipment to perform this test. You can use a meat thermometer. The temperature should be at least a few degrees higher than the ambient temperature in your house. If the temperature rises too high, it could mean the furnace isn’t working properly.
If the temperature does not rise, you can try relighting the pilot light. You should also check the ignitor sensor. If it is dirty, it will not work properly. If you aren’t sure how to check this, contact a technician or an HVAC service.
Cleaning your furnace repair can be done by yourself by using simple cleaning supplies. First, turn off the power and gas to your furnace. Then, remove the cabinet doors and perform a light cleaning. Use a small brush or a damp cloth to remove dirt, dust, and other debris. If necessary, use a vacuum or compressed air to remove any remaining dirt.
If your furnace has a filter, you need to clean it regularly. If you’re using a disposable filter, you can clean it easily with a non-toxic cleaner. If the filter is reusable, you should remove it and dry it thoroughly before replacing it. Otherwise, you need to buy new filters. You can get them at any hardware store.
Keeping your furnace clean also helps extend its life. Dirty surfaces can limit the efficiency of your furnace and decrease the amount of heat it can produce. Dirt also increases the load placed on the furnace’s blower, causing more wear on its various parts. Furthermore, a dirty blower can reduce the furnace’s expected lifespan.
To relight your furnace, make sure that you have a long-handled match and flashlight handy. If you don’t have a lighter, you can also use a tightly rolled piece of paper. While most furnaces come with an easy-to-read label with relighting instructions, you can also consult the furnace manual or manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.
First, make sure that the pilot light is lit. The pilot light is usually located behind a door that allows access. Drafty areas may cause the pilot light to go out. Also, make sure that the door is shut securely. You can also turn off the gas by using a lighter or a match.
If you don’t see the pilot light, you can try relighting the furnace manually. To do this, locate the on/off switch and then look for a round button near the pilot light housing. Press the button and hold it until a flame appears. If the pilot light has not lit, try using a match or lighter and hold it against the pilot light until it becomes steady. If the furnace still doesn’t fire up after relighting it, check the temperature and other air sources for drafts.
If the pilot flame doesn’t ignite, you can also check the thermostat connection or gas pipe. Sometimes, the pilot light may fail to light because of a defective electric spark or a dirty gas pipe. Another common reason for a failed ignition is dirt accumulation on the filament.
