A heating system that isn’t working can be intimidating. But sometimes the solution can be simple enough that you can fix it by yourself. In this article, we’ve listed some heating repair tips if your furnace is on the fritz. That way you can get your home back to being comfortable fast.
Check the Thermostat: Another quick and easy fix that may not be the first to come to your mind is to check that your thermostat is working. If you have an electric furnace, it relies on the thermostat to know when it needs to turn on. Before you call a heating technician, check that the thermostat is telling the furnace to come on. Make sure it is set to “heat” and not “cool” and that it doesn’t need new batteries.
Check the Circuit Breaker/Power Supply: One of the most frustrating things is thinking something’s broken because the switch was off. The same thing can happen with your heating system. To make sure your furnace is actually on, look for a wall switch on or near your furnace. Check that someone plugged the power cord into an outlet. Also, inspect the circuit breaker of the power panel. Push in the switch under the front panel to reset a tripped breaker.
Replace the Filter: If your heating system isn’t working, there’s a good chance the solution is as easy as replacing the filter. Before you do anything else, check that your filter isn't dirty. If a dirty filter stays in the system too long, it can cause significant damage. Luckily, it’s simple to replace a filter. Take out the old filter. If when you hold it up to a light you can’t see it, it’s time to replace it. If it’s a reusable filter, you can clean it and reinsert it.
Check the Flame Sensor: Your flame sensor is a safety device in your furnace. It detects when a flame is burning inside the burner assembly. Over time the sensor will form a coating of black buildup from the fire. Then it’ll start to restart your furnace a few times, then lock it down. If your flame sensor is dirty, you can try to clean it until you can get a tech over. A soft abrasive like a kitchen scrubber or your jeans can often clean off a good amount of buildup.
