Are those jingle bells you hear already? It seems like winter and the holidays are always right around the corner. And nothing quite says it’s the holidays like snuggling up in the warmth with a steamy cup of cocoa.
It might be too early for hot chocolate and down comforters, but don’t let the cold sneak up on you. If your furnace stopped working, there might be an easy fix for it.
Below, we outline five possible furnace issues and their solutions.
1. Clogged Air Filter
A furnace needs a constant flow of air for heat production. However, dust and other dirt may be obstructing the intake.
You should change the filter to your furnace every three months. But if the furnace is in a dusty room, check it each month. Hold it up to the light; if it’s no longer transparent, get a new one.
If it’s the first time you’re changing the filter, there are a couple of places it may be. It may be in a vent on the floor or the wall. Otherwise, it’s attached to the furnace.
2.Check the Thermostat
You may be misdiagnosing the common furnace problems altogether. For your furnace to work well, all the running parts must harmoniously function. This includes the connection between it and the thermostat.
Make sure your thermostat is on and accurate. Some older models are battery-powered, so be sure to change the batteries when needed.
3. Dirty Burner
The burner is the heart and soul of the furnace. Check that it’s emitting a clean flame. You should clean the burners annually if you live in colder regions.
To clean the burner, make sure to disconnect the gas and turn off the breaker to the furnace. As long as it’s not on and the gas line is clean, it’s safe to remove. You may clean it by hand or with a vacuum.
Look at the color to check if the burner is producing a dirty flame. Blue is good, yellow and orange are bad.
4. Gas Leak: Furnace Stopped Working
This is one of the most common furnace issues and also the most concerning. It may not be getting the gas required to ignite the burner.
Check the gas line to determine that it’s working. Most lines have a valve or some indicator showing that it’s “on.” If that’s the case, you may have a dangerous gas leak.
In this scenario, it’s best to hire professional furnace repair for your home.
5. Proper Ventilation
Your furnace might be working, but its vents are blocked, so the furnace isn’t heating.
Walk around your home and inspect the ventilation outputs. You may have blocked one of them with furniture. Or you could have closed it to redirect air.
Keeping a clear airflow for your HVAC and furnace is essential. It’ll extend the longevity of both.
Warm and Toasty At Last
Get ready for the snowfall. Make sure you’ll be warm before you dust off your favorite Santa mug. Your furnace stopped working probably from something easy.
How to fix a furnace could be as simple as changing an air filter or increasing the airflow to the vents. However, it may also be a severe issue, like a gas leak. Make sure to do your yearly maintenance.
Are you still having trouble with heating? Check out our other articles on keeping a toasty, warm home.
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