What Should I Do If My Furnace Fails?

What Should I Do If My Furnace Fails?

To wake up in the middle of the night and discover your furnace has failed is a horrible feeling. Your furnace is a problem when it breaks down or stops working altogether. When your furnace fails, the first thing you think about is calling for help. 

Things To Check When Your Furnace Fails

But sometimes heating and cooling systems only stop working because of some minor issues. So, before you call for help, you can try using some troubleshooting methods outlined below if your furnace isn’t working.

 Check Your Circuit Breakers

Faulty circuit breakers are the most common cause of furnace problems. To troubleshoot your furnace, start by checking the power supply.

You must confirm that your furnace is connected to the correct circuits and that the circuits are manually turned on. If your circuit breakers are turned on, but your furnace still won’t turn on, the issue is most likely electrical.

Ensure that all your electrical equipment is in working order. Contact your power company if any of these gadgets don’t function. There may be a power outage. Also, circuit breakers in furnaces can trip. A little light positioned towards the back of your furnace indicates circuit breakers.

Check Your Thermostat Settings

Troubleshooting an inoperable furnace begins with checking its settings. To ensure your furnace can operate, make sure your thermostat is on.

Also, remember that your thermostat might need new batteries. Changing your batteries at least once a year is the best way to ensure they last.

Often, the thermostat stops functioning properly due to dirt and debris. You should clean the wiring in your thermostat if dust and debris are clogging it. 

In the event of a power outage, some thermostats will reset their settings. If your furnace doesn’t run after being turned on, you may need to program it again.

If your heating system is still not working properly, get your thermostat checked by an expert in furnace service in Grand Rapids.

Check and Change the Clogged Filter

It is important to keep your furnace’s filters clean to ensure smooth airflow. Filters that become clogged force your air handler to work harder. Your heat exchanger can overheat and fail too soon if there is insufficient airflow through your heating system. This is simple, but a vital step as ignoring it can also lead to high utility bills. 

It is common for a clogged filter to cause a furnace to not work. By replacing the furnace filter regularly, you can safeguard HVAC components and enhance the quality of your indoor air.

You can also detect whether it’s time to change it by holding it up to the light. If it’s unclean, you won’t be able to see anything through it. If the vents smell unclean or dusty when the blower is on, it’s time to change your furnace filter.

You must also make sure the furnace is turned off and that no air is escaping. Keep an eye on which way your filter points are pointing. The filter’s purpose is to catch particles blasted in one direction. The filter should never be installed in a way that affects its efficacy, such as upside down. 

In case you need to replace a filter, you should look for a Grand Rapids heating and cooling companies that is reputable and trustworthy.

Oil the Furnace Blower

During the winter, it is essential to make sure all the components of your heating system are clean and functioning properly. You can prolong the life of your furnace by keeping the blower lubricated. 

For this, turn off the main electrical panel to deactivate the circuit breakers supplying the furnace. Remove the screws that hold the access panel of the furnace.

To remove the blower motor from the furnace’s main assembly, you must remove the bolts that hold it to the furnace’s base. Blower motor housings should have set screws on the side. Pull the motor out by removing the bolts from the housing.

Squeeze 2 to 3 drops of oil into each oil port on a motor or shaft. Fresh oil is supposed to increase the performance of a blower motor. For your heating system to work properly, you need a high-performance blower motor. Hence, you should oil it annually to maintain its efficiency.

Bottomline

Are you looking for an expert HVAC contractor for your furnace tune-up or furnace replacement in Kentwood, MI? If yes, R&R Mechanical Services is here to solve all your furnace issues. With years of experience in heating and cooling, we can solve various HVAC problems. Get in touch with us at [email protected] or call us at (616) 452-6888 for more information.