Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Inspect the Thermostat
To begin, ensure your thermostat is telling your heater to start.
Digital Thermostat
- Replace the batteries if the screen is blank. If the digital display is jumbled, the thermostat could need to be changed.
- Ensure the button is switched to “heat” as opposed to “off” or “cool.”
- Make certain the program is displaying the appropriate day and time and is set to “run.” If you’re having problems overriding the schedule, regulate the temperature with the up/down arrows and pressing the “hold” button. This will force the furnace to turn on if thermostat settings are a problem.
- Turn the temperature setting to 5 degrees hotter than the room temperature.
If your heating hasn’t turned on within several minutes, make certain that it has electricity by switching the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t begin to run, your furnace might not have power.
Smart Thermostat
If you utilize a smart thermostat—like one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will be determined by the model you have. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for support. If you aren’t able to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to function, calll us at 205-208-8090 for heating and cooling service.
2. Check Breakers and Switches
Next, you ought to verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Locate your home’s main electrical panel. If you don’t know where it is, look for a metallic metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet are dry before opening the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker labeled “furnace” or “heat,” and double-check it’s switched “on.” If the breaker has tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” spot.
- With one hand, firmly flip the breaker to the “on” spot. If the breaker trips right away and pops back to “off,” don’t touch it and contact a team member from KDM Service Corporation at 205-208-8090 immediately.
It doesn’t matter how old your furnace is or what brand it is, it has at minimum one standard wall switch located on or close to it.
- Make certain the lever is flipped up in the “on” placement. If it was switched off, it could take your furnace up to five minutes to ignite. (If you’re unaware of where to find your furnace, look in your basement, garage or utility closet. It may also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Put in a New Air Filter
When we think about furnace problems, a dirty, blocked air filter is often to blame.
If your filter is too dirty:
- Your heater won’t stay on, or it could get too warm from limited airflow.
- Your heating bills may be higher because your furnace is working too often.
- Your heater could stop working prematurely due to the fact a filthy filter triggers it to work harder.
- Your heating can lose power if an overly clogged filter causes the breaker to trip.
While it depends on what make of heater you own, your air filter will be within the blower compartment of your furnace, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To replace your filter:
- Cut the power to your heating system.
- Take out the filter and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, replace it.
- Put in the new filter with the arrow facing toward the heater to prevent damage.
Flat filters ought to be replaced once a month, while pleated filters should be used for about three months. You could also use a washable filter that you can use for about 10 years. If you have children or pets, you may have to put in a new filter more often.
To make the process go more quickly in the future, use a permanent pen on your heater exterior or ductwork to indicate the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Inspect the Condensate Pan
Also known as drain pans, condensate pans hold moisture your heater pulls from the air.
If moisture is seeping from within your heater or its pan is overflowing, use these steps.
- If your pan has a drain (look for a PVC pipe), check that it isn’t full. If it requires draining, drop in a special pan-cleaning tablet you can get at home improvement or hardware shops.
- If your pan uses a pump, take a look at the float switch. If the lever can’t be moved from the “up” position with water in the pan, reach us at 205-208-8090, because you will probably need a new pump.
5. Look for Furnace Error Codes
If faults persist, look inside your heating system’s plastic window to verify the blower motor’s status. Depending on the brand, the light may also be mounted on the exterior of your heating system.
If you note anything other than an uninterrupted, colored light or flickering green light, contact us at 205-208-8090 for HVAC service. Your heating system may be emitting an error code that is calling for professional assistance.
6. Clean the Flame Sensor
If your heater makes an effort to start but shuts off without putting out heated air, a dusty flame sensor might be responsible. When this takes place, your heater will make an attempt to turn on three times before a safety feature powers it down for about an hour.
If you feel comfortable with opening up your furnace, gently scrubbing your flame sensor is work you have the ability to do on your own. Or, one of our heating service specialists can complete it for you.
If you are fine with cleaning the sensor yourself, you require:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Bit of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- A dry, clean paper towel
As the next step:
- Shut off the heating system’s power through its wall switch or breaker. If you don’t have an electric gas valve, you will need to turn off the gas along with it.
- Lift off the heater’s front panel and trace the wire to the flame sensor.
- Unscrew the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to lightly rub the metal rod.
- Clear the rod with a paper towel.
- Put the sensor back in.
- Secure the furnace doors.
- Turn the furnace’s power back on. It may run through a sequence of inspections before proceeding with usual running. If your furnace doesn’t start, the sensor might need to be replaced or something else could be wrong. If this occurs, contact us at 205-208-8090 for heating and cooling repair help.
7. Relight the Pilot Light
If you own an outdated heating system, the pilot light could be turned off. To relight it, locate the guide on a label on your furnace, or follow these steps.
- Look for the lever below your heater marked “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Turn the switch to the “off” position.
- Take a break for at least five minutes to avoid creating a fire.
- Turn the knob to “pilot.”
- Push the “reset” button as you push the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Release the “reset” lever once the pilot light is lit.
If you have tried the list twice and the pilot light still won’t ignite or remain burning, contact us at 205-208-8090 for furnace service.
Examine Your Gas Supply
Try turning on an additional gas appliance. If it doesn’t operate, your natural gas delivery may be turned off, or you might have run out of propane.