A furnace is an appliance that produces heat for your home. There are two common types of furnaces that a person can get: electric or propane. Both are very efficient at heating up your property. Taking care of the furnace is important since it is typically the only source of heat in your home. Regular maintenance on the unit can help it reach its life expectancy of that particular type of furnace. In case the appliance does malfunction, it's good to find out if it can be repaired at home with troubleshooting or if a professional is needed to handle the heating repair.
Poor Airflow
Poor airflow is a sign that the furnace isn't running the way it is supposed to. One of the main culprits is a dirty filter. The filter in the unit gets dirty through daily use and should be cleaned at least once every 30 days. When it is full of dust, the airflow is affected. The unit runs harder than it should and can become damaged if it isn't fixed. Clean or change the filter to establish good airflow again.
No Power
Another common issue is a lack of power. The first thing you should do is check the circuit box to see if a breaker was blown. Find the spot marked "Furnace" and make sure it is in the On position. If it keeps happening, it is a sign of a serious electrical problem and needs to be repaired by a professional contractor.
Pilot Light
A gas furnace will have a pilot light on it. It is used to ignite the unit whenever it is started. If the pilot light is malfunctioning, the unit may not be able to turn on. Locate the pilot light on the furnace and try to reset it. Turn the position to Off and wait approximately five minutes. Switch the setting to Reset and use a long lighter to relight the pilot light. This should reset it and the unit should start producing heat again.
Thermostat
When the furnace isn't kicking on, try adjusting the thermostat a few degrees. Wait a few minutes and listen for the unit to start. If it doesn't, you might have an issue with the thermostat itself. Unfortunately, this needs to be addressed by an HVAC contractor.
Conclusion
It's always nice to know how to troubleshoot things in case of an emergency. However, some things cannot be done without certain knowledge of HVAC systems. When in doubt, hire a contractor to repair the problems.
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