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Furnace Repair | Common Furnace Questions Part 2
In part one, we heard the most common furnace repair questions regarding what types of furnaces there are, how furnaces work and why a furnace filter is important. In part two, we will learn what to do if your thermostat doesn’t work, and what to do if your furnace stops working. Keep reading for more great information and insight into this important, unsung hero of the household.
One of the most common furnace questions that furnace experts receive a lot, is from homeowners wondering why their thermostat isn’t working with their furnace. They may try turning the thermostat up, but it doesn’t prompt the furnace to turn on. Or the furnace doesn’t heat to the temperature listed on the thermostat. Don’t despair! You don’t need a furnace repair, in fact, it’s a common problem, and easier (and less expensive) to fix than you think!
Most Common Culprits of A Thermostat Not Working
There are usually around five reasons why a thermostat is not working with the furnace. If you have an older home, it could be caused by a loose wire connection. While this is an easy fix, it is not one that you should try fixing on your own. It’s best to call an expert, like those at Hot to Cold to come in and fix it quickly, and correctly right away. In fact, anytime your home needs wiring corrected, a professional should always be called in to fix it.
However, if it’s not a loose wire connection, and you are in an older home, it’s possible that the thermostat itself needs to be replaced. Like anything, thermostats can wear out as they age. This happens normally after about a decade of service. If your thermostat is older than 10 years, you might just want to call the pros to help update. There are many innovations with thermostats, such as programmable or learning thermostats.
Check Your Thermostat’s Batteries
One thing you can do if your thermostat isn’t working, before you call the experts, is check to see if the thermostat’s batteries are dead. Many people often think of their thermostat as wired into the wall, and therefore don’t have batteries, but this isn’t true. Open up the panel on the bottom of your thermostat and check the batteries. Be safe, and dust the thermostat before opening the cover. Turn off the breaker your thermostat is on, replace the batteries, turn on breaker, and see if that works. If this doesn’t work, it’s possible that you may have blown a fuse. Again, it’s best to call a technician in to fix the problem correctly and quickly.
If this doesn’t work, it could be that the thermostat is dirty, there are sensors on the thermostat. It may need dusting with a soft, damp cloth. If you aren’t sure where the sensors are on the thermostat, it’s best to call a technician in to fix the problem. In fact, while most thermostat problems are easily fixed at home, if you make an error, it will usually be a costly error. Err on the side of caution, and call the expert, who will not only fix it expertly, they can also check the other components to ensure they are in great working order too.
Furnace Repair | What If Your Furnace Stops Working
Why isn’t my furnace working is one of the most common furnace questions! While furnace problems often stem from the thermostat, but that doesn’t mean that you will never need furnace repairs. There are common reasons why your furnace isn’t working. You can do some quick steps to see if you can get your furnace working right away. But if not, contact the experts to have them come in and give your furnace a once over the right way.
One of the most common reasons your furnace has stopped working, is because the filter is clogged. While homeowners should be replacing their furnace filter once every three months, or every other month if they own any pets. Furnace experts have seen furnaces that have not had the filter changed in a year, or even longer! Clean furnace filters help ensure your furnace is working at peak energy efficiency as well.
Furnace Filters Are Important
If your furnace filter is clogged, it’s very likely that your heat exchange system is overheating. Therefore, your furnace shuts down as a safety precaution. However, homeowners should also consider that a clogged furnace filter will cause your furnace to work harder, burning more fuel which will cost even more money. But also, when your furnace has to work harder to work, the component parts will wear out sooner, meaning you will need a furnace repair sooner, and replace your entire furnace prematurely.
Finally, the furnace filter is important, because it ensures the air that’s blowing into your home is free from dust, mold, allergens, pet dander and more. If your furnace filter is clogged, you are breathing poor quality air. If you or your loved ones suffer from allergies or asthma, they could be needlessly suffering. For the health of your family and your home, replace your furnace filters!
Is Your Furnace Dirty?
The burners that ignite the fuel to heat the air must be clean. If you have your furnace serviced annually, as recommended, the professionals will clean your furnace burners. However, if it’s been over a year since you had your furnace serviced, chances are that the burners are dirty. You can even check really easily. The flames in your furnace should be blue. Dirty burners will burn yellow or red. If this is the case, contact your furnace experts to come in and do a full service of your furnace, to avoid needing a furnace repair during the coldest part of the year.
Any more furnace questions and furnace maintenance can be directed to Hot To Cold. They not only are furnace experts, but they will come to your house and check to make sure your furnace is in good working order, and do a full maintenance service. You should do these once a year, and ideally before winter starts, and before you need a furnace repair. They can let you know what you can do in between tune ups to help your furnace work its best. Call Hot to Cold today!